Abstract
Studies on cadmium effects in the root meristematic cells of Allium sativum L. were carried out using electron microscopy in order to explain the possible mechanisms of garlic seedlings’ tolerance to Cd stress. Seedlings were treated with 0.01, 0.10 and 1.00 mM CdCl2 solutions for 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 12, 24 and 48 h, respectively. The results indicated that cell walls, plasma membrane and main organelles actively participated in Cd detoxification and tolerance at low Cd concentrations. Once excessive Cd ions entered the cytosol, a defence mechanism becomes activated, protecting the cells against cadmium toxicity. However, under high Cd content in cells, the cell structure was damaged, even leading to cells death.
Article PDF
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Abbreviations
- ER:
-
endoplasmic reticulum
- rER:
-
rough endoplasmic reticulum
- TEM:
-
transition electron microscopy
References
Clemens, S.: Toxic metal accumulation, responses to exposure and mechanisms of tolerance in plants.-Biochimie 88: 1707–1719, 2006.
Hall, J.L.: Cellular mechanisms for heavy metal detoxification and tolerance.-J. exp. Bot. 53: 1–11, 2002.
Leita, L., De Nobili, M., Cesco, S., Mondini, C.: Analysis of intercellular cadmium forms in roots and leaves of bush bean.-J. Plant Nutr. 19: 527–533, 1996.
Liu, D., Jiang, W., Gao, X.: Effects of cadmium on root growth, cell division and nucleoli in root tip cells of garlic.-Biol. Plant. 47: 79–83, 2003.
Liu, D.H, Kottke, I.: Subcellular localization of Cd in the root cells of Allium sativum by electron energy loss spectroscopy.-J. Biosci. 28: 471–478, 2003.
Liu, D.H., Jiang, W.S., Li, M.X.: Effects of Cd2+ on root growth and cell division of Allium cepa.-Acta Sci. Circumstantiae 12: 439–446, 1992.
Liu, D.H., Kottke, I.: Subcellular localization of cadmium in the root cells of Allium cepa by electron energy loss spectroscopy and cytochemistry.-J. Biosci. 29: 329–335, 2004.
Liu, D.H., Kottke, I., Adam, D.: Localization of cadmium in the root cells of Allium ecpa by energy dispersive X-ray analysis.-Biol. Plant. 51: 363–366, 2007.
Pinot, F., Kreps, S.E., Bachelet, M., Hainaut, P., Bakonyi, M., Polla, B.S.: Cadmium in the environment: sources, mechanisms of biotoxicity, and biomarkers.-Rev. Environ. Health 15: 299–323, 2000.
Quartacci, M.F., Cosi, E., Navari-Izzo, F.: Lipids and NADPH-dependent superoxide production in plasma membrane vesicles from roots of wheat grown under copper deficiency or excess.-J. exp. Bot. 52: 77–84, 2001.
Sanità di Toppi, L., Musetti, R., Vattuone, Z., Pawlik-Skowrońska, B., Fossati, F., Bertoli, L., Badiani, M., Favali, M.A.: Cadmium distribution and effects on ultrastructure and chlorophyll status in photobionts and mycobionts of Xanthoria parietina.-Microscopy Res. Techn. 66: 229–238, 2005a.
Sanità di Toppi, L., Marabottini, R., Vattuone, Z., Musetti, R., Favali, M.A., Sorgonà, A., Badiani, M.: Cell wall immobilisation and antioxidant status of Xanthoria parietina thalli exposed to cadmium.-Funct. Plant Biol. 32: 611–618, 2005b.
Sanità di Toppi, L., Pawlik-Skowrońska, B., Vurro, E., Vattuone, Z., Kalinowska, R., Restivo, F.M., Musetti R., Skowroński, T.: First and second line mechanisms of cadmium detoxification in the lichen photobiont Trebouxia impressa (Chlorophyta).-Environ. Pollut. 151: 280–286, 2007.
Saxena, P.K., Krishna Raj, S., Dan, T, Perras, M.R., Vettakkorumakankav, N.N.: Phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated and polluted soils.-In: Prasad, M.N.V., Hagemeyer, J. (ed.): Heavy Metal Stress in Plants. Pp. 305–329. Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg 1999.
Shamsi, I.H., Wei, K., Zhang, G.P., Jilani, G.H., Hassan, M.J.: Interactive effects of cadmium and aluminum on growth and antioxidant enzyme activities in soybean.-Biol. Plant. 52:165–169, 2008.
Tukaj, Z., Baścik-Remisiewicz, A., Skowroński, T., Tukaj, C.: Cadmium effect on the growth, photosynthesis, ultrastructure and phytochelatin content of green microalga Scenedesmus armatus: A study at low and elevated CO2 concentration.-Environ. exp. Bot. 60: 291–299, 2007.
Verma, S., Dubey, R.S.: Effect of cadmium on soluble sugars and enzymes of their metabolism in rice.-Biol. Plant. 44: 117–123, 2001.
Wierzbicka, M.H., Przedpelska, E., Ruzik, R., Ouerdane, L., Poleć-Pawlak, K., Jarosz, M., Szpunar, J., Szakiel, A.: Comparison of the toxicity and distribution of cadmium and lead in plant cells.-Protoplasma 231: 99–111, 2007.
Yu, H., Wang, J.L., Fang, W., Yuan, J.G., Yang, Z.Y.: Cadmium accumulation in different rice cultivars and screening for pollution-safe cultivars of rice.-Sci. total Environ. 370: 302–309, 2006.
Zenk, M.H.: Heavy metal detoxification in higher plants — a review.-Gene 179: 21–30, 1996.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jiang, W.S., Liu, D.H. & Xu, P. Cd-induced system of defence in the garlic root meristematic cells. Biol Plant 53, 369–372 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-009-0069-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-009-0069-0