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Uptake, localisation and physiological changes in response to copper excess in Erica andevalensis

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Abstract

Copper uptake, localisation and biochemical and physiological traits were studied in hydroponically-grown Erica andevalensis plants at different increasing concentrations of Cu (1 µM, 50 µM, 100 µM, 250 µM, and 500 µM). Increasing Cu concentration in the nutrient medium led to a significative reduction in plant growth rate, an increase in root Cu concentration, leaf photosynthetic pigments and root peroxidase activity. Copper accumulation followed the pattern roots>stems>leaves, a typical behaviour of metal-excluders. Copper treatments led to significant changes in the free amino acid composition in shoots and roots and the concentration of polyamines in shoots. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy coupled with elemental X-ray analysis (SEM–EDX) showed a partial restriction of upward Cu transport by root vascular tissues. In leaf tissues, Cu mostly accumulated in the abaxial epidermis, suggesting a mechanism of compartmentalization to restrict mesophyll accumulation. The toxic effects of excess Cu were avoided to a certain extent by root immobilization, tissue compartmentalization, synthesis of complexing amino acids and induction of enzymes to prevent oxidative damage are among mechanisms adopted by Erica andevalensis to thrive in acidic-metalliferous soils.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by Spanish Ministry of Science and Education (MEC) (CGL2006-1418 and José Castillejo Program) and Ramón Areces Foundation. The authors thank Manlio Colella and Sergio Sorbo from CISME (Naples, Italy), for their technical assistance in SEM–EDX analysis and the techniques from the Greenhouse of Seville University for their technical assistance in plant cultivation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of Seville, Avda. Reina Mercedes s/n, Apartado de Correo 1095, 41080, Sevilla, Spain

    S. Rossini Oliva & B. Valdés

  2. Department of Earth Science and Environmental Chemistry, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC, Prof. Albareda 1, 18008, Granada, Spain

    M. D. Mingorance

  3. Department of Plant Biotechnology, IRNAS-CSIC, Avda. Reina Mercedes 10, 41012, Sevilla, Spain

    E. O. Leidi

Authors
  1. S. Rossini Oliva
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  2. M. D. Mingorance
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  3. B. Valdés
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  4. E. O. Leidi
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Correspondence to S. Rossini Oliva.

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Responsible Editor: Juan Barcelo.

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Table 3 bis

Composition of the free amino acid pool in shoots and roots of Erica andevalensis plants grown in nutrient solutions containing different concentrations of Cu (in µmoles g dry weight−1). In brackets, relative values in relation to the contents in control plants (1 µM Cu). (DOC 46 kb)

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Rossini Oliva, S., Mingorance, M.D., Valdés, B. et al. Uptake, localisation and physiological changes in response to copper excess in Erica andevalensis . Plant Soil 328, 411–420 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-009-0121-z

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