title: Physiology of Matricaria chamomilla exposed to nickel excess.
abstract: Influence of nickel (Ni) excess on selected physiological aspects of Matricaria chamomilla metabolism after 10 days of presence was studied. Biomass, water content, assimilation pigments and lignin contents were not affected by any of the doses tested. High Ni doses elevated root-soluble proteins. The highest Ni concentration stimulated accumulation of soluble phenolics in both the rosettes and roots, and hydrogen peroxide in the roots. Malondialdehyde content was unaltered, but proline content increased more pronouncedly in the rosettes. Histidine was elevated in the roots, suggesting its involvement in Ni retention. Roots contained 3.4, 7.3 and 6.1 times more Ni than leaf rosettes with 3, 60 and 120 microM treatments, indicating that chamomile is a Ni excluder. Leaf rosettes accumulated 174.1 microg Ni g(-1) DW at 120 microM treatment. The results suggest chamomile tolerance to Ni excess and its considerable accumulation in above-ground biomass (ca. 30% of whole plant Ni content).
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, P.J. Safárik University, Mánesova 23, 041 67 Kosice, Slovak Republic. jozkovacik@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Jozef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kovácik
authors.forename: Borivoj
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Klejdus
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaduková
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Backor
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006639:Histidine / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D031168:Matricaria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009532:Nickel / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D013997:Time Factors; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D006639:Histidine; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D009532:Nickel; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide