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Changes in antioxidant enzyme activity in the fine roots of black poplar (Populus nigra L.) and cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsch) in a heavy-metal-polluted environment

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Abstract

The effect of heavy metal deposition onto soil from a copper smelter on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activity in the fine roots of two poplars (Populus nigra L. and Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsch) was analyzed. The subjects were mature trees growing in real environments. In both analyzed species, heavy metals stimulated the overproduction of free radicals in fine roots (measured as malondialdehyde level), which was directly proportional to advancing senescence. In young fine roots, heavy metals caused a decrease in guaiacol peroxidase activity and presumably disturbed the lignification process. Catalase was highly sensitive to the presence of heavy metals in the soil. In contrast, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities were unaffected by heavy metals. In the case of superoxide dismutase, a clear increase in enzyme activity was observed only in P. nigra under drought conditions, whereas it was inhibited in polluted stands.

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Acknowledgements

This study was partly supported by grant no.3 PO4G 075 25 from the State Committee for Scientific Research, Poland. Research was a part of the doctoral thesis of K. Stobrawa. Thanks are due to Ms. K. Grewling for her excellent technical assistance. We would also like to thank the editor and anonymous reviewers for their comments.

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  1. Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Parkowa 5, 62-035, Kórnik, Poland

    Krzysztof Stobrawa & Gabriela Lorenc-Plucińska

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  1. Krzysztof Stobrawa
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  2. Gabriela Lorenc-Plucińska
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Correspondence to Krzysztof Stobrawa.

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Responsible Editor: Fangjie Zhao.

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Stobrawa, K., Lorenc-Plucińska, G. Changes in antioxidant enzyme activity in the fine roots of black poplar (Populus nigra L.) and cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsch) in a heavy-metal-polluted environment. Plant Soil 298, 57–68 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-007-9336-z

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