title: Cd-induced growth reduction in the halophyte Sesuvium portulacastrum is significantly improved by NaCl.
abstract: The effects of Cd(2+) and NaCl, applied together or separately, on growth and uptake of Cd(2+) were determined for the halophyte Sesuvium portulacastrum L. Seedlings were cultivated in the presence of 50 or 100 micromol L(-1) Cd(2+) alone or combined with 100 or 400 mmol L(-1) NaCl. Data showed that alone, Cd(2+) induced chlorosis, necrosis, and inhibited growth. Addition of NaCl to Cd(2+)-containing medium restored growth and alleviated the toxicity, however. NaCl also enhanced the amounts of Cd(2+) accumulated in the shoots. All Cd(2+) treatment reduced K(+) and Ca(2+) uptake and transport to the shoots. Accumulation of Na(+) in the shoots was not affected by Cd(2+), however. Thus S. portulacastrum maintained its halophytic characteristics in the presence of Cd(2+). We suggest this halophyte could be used for phytoextraction of Cd(2+) from salt-contaminated sites.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Adaptation des Plantes aux Stress Abiotiques, Centre de Biotechnologie, BP 901, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Tahar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ghnaya
authors.forename: Inès
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Slama
authors.forename: Dorsaf
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Messedi
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grignon
authors.forename: Mohamed Habib
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Ghorbel
authors.forename: Chedly
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Abdelly
mesh_terms: D035722:Aizoaceae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D002104:Cadmium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D002104:Cadmium; D002734:Chlorophyll; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium