Phytotoxicity of mercury in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.).
This study investigated the phytotoxicity of mercury to Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.). Two common cultivars (Florida Broad Leaf and Long-standing) were grown hydroponically in a mercury-spiked solution. Mercury exhibited a significant phytotoxicity in these two cultivars of Indian mustard at elevated concentrations (>or=2 mg L(-1)). Mercury uptake induced a significant reduction in both biomass and leaf relative water content. Microscopy studies indicated that elevated mercury concentrations in plants significantly changed leaf cellular structure: thickly stained areas surrounding the vascular bundles; decreases in the number of palisade and spongy parenchyma cells; and reduced cell size and clotted depositions. The palisade chloroplasts exhibited decreases in their amounts and starch grains as well as a loss of spindle shape. However, due to high accumulation of mercury in plants, especially in the roots, Indian mustard might be a potential candidate plant for phytofiltration of contaminated water and phytostabilization of mercury-contaminated soils.
Shiyab
Safwan
S
Institute for Clean Energy Technology, Mississippi State University, 205 Research Blvd., Starkville, MS 39759, USA.
Chen
Jian
J
Han
Fengxiang X
FX
Monts
David L
DL
Matta
Frank B
FB
Gu
Mengmeng
M
Su
Yi
Y
D001937:Brassica / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002736:Chloroplasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008628:Mercury / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D008853:Microscopy; D009149:Mustard Plant / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D008628:Mercury