title: Survival of Cd-exposed Arabidopsis thaliana: are these plants reproductively challenged?
abstract: Plants exposed to cadmium (Cd) show morphological and physiological disorders. To increase our knowledge regarding Cd-induced signalling, most often the effects of acute exposure are investigated. However, this does not allow in-depth analysis of morphological effects. Therefore, we chronically exposed Arabidopsis thaliana plants to environmentally realistic Cd concentrations (5 or 10 μM) and, using a described phenotypic framework methodology, we determined the impact of Cd on the plant's ability to complete its life cycle and produce germinative seeds. Visible Cd-induced morphological changes were observed within a short exposure period, with chlorotic and anthocyanous leaf colouring occurring dose-dependently. Although rosette growth was severely reduced in Cd-exposed plants, all plants were able to emerge inflorescences and produce siliques containing germinative seeds, thus confirming the non-lethality of the used Cd concentrations. Although the growth inhibition of Cd-exposed plants was dependent on the dose, both concentrations had similar effects on inflorescence height and silique counts. In conclusion, vegetative growth of plants chronically exposed to Cd is inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the effect on plant regeneration is clearly stress-determined but independent on the Cd concentration applied. In Arabidopsis thaliana, vegetative and reproductive growth are differentially influenced by Cd.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Biology, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Els
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Keunen
authors.forename: Sascha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Truyens
authors.forename: Liesbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bruckers
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Remans
authors.forename: Jaco
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vangronsveld
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cuypers
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D019187:Cadmium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D056626:Inflorescence / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D018519:Meristem / Q000254:growth & development; D010935:Plant Diseases; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D036226:Seedlings / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D012639:Seeds / Q000187:drug effects; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013431:Sulfates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D019187:Cadmium Compounds; D013431:Sulfates; C037123:cadmium sulfate