Abstract
Seedlings of two cultivars of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) Courgette d'Italie (CI) and Courgette d'Alger (CA) were pre-treated with various concentrations of cadmium, copper and zinc for 30 d. High accumulation of heavy metals especially in the roots was showed. Peroxidase activity was affected according to the type of metal added, concentration, and the plant cultivar used. In leaves and roots of the CI control plants peroxidase activities were 50 and 17 % higher than in the CA control plants. Treatment with Cd (5 µg g−1), Cu (200 µg g−1), and Zn (500 µg g−1) increased peroxidase activities in CA but decreased it in CI both in leaves and roots. Heavy metals tested lead also to some qualitative changes characterized by appearance of new isoforms of peroxidase. The results show the possibility to use the activities of peroxidase as biomarkers for Cd, Cu and Zn stresses.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Blinda, A., Abou-Mandour, A., Azarkovich, M., Brune, A., Dietz, K.J.: Heavy metal-induced changes in peroxidase activity in leaves, roots and cell suspension cultures of Hordeum vulgare L.-In: Obinger, C., Bruner, U., Ebermann, R., Penel, C., Greppin, H. (ed.): Plant Peroxidases: Biochemistry and Physiology. Pp. 374–379. University of Geneva, Geneva 1996.
Brune, A., Urbach, W., Dietz, K.J.: Zinc induces changes in apoplastic protein content and polypeptide composition of barley primary leaves.-J. exp. Bot. 45: 1189–1196, 1994.
De Vos, R. C. H., Bookum, T. W. M., Vooijs, R., Schat, H., De Kok, L. J.: Effect of copper on fatty acid composition and peroxidation of lipids in the roots of copper tolerant and sensitive Silene cucubalus.-Plant Physiol. Biochem. 3: 151–158, 1993.
Fieldes, M.A., Gerhardt, K.E.: Effect of zinc on flax seedling: differences in the response of the cationic and anionic isoenzymes of peroxidase.-Plant Sci. 96: 1–13, 1994.
Garcia, A., Navarro, P., Castillo, P.: Peroxidase and NADPH oxidase activities in leaves and roots of sunflower plants as markers of heavy metals toxicity. In: Obinger, C., Bruner, U., Ebermann, R., Penel, C., Greppin, H. (ed.): Plant Peroxidases: Biochemistry and Physiology. Pp. 369–373, University of Geneva, Geneva 1996.
Gaspar, T., Penel, C., Hagege, D., Greppin, H.: Peroxidase in plant growth, differentiation and development processes.-In: Lobarzewski, J., Greppin, H., Penel, H., Gaspar, T. (ed.): Biochemical, Molecular and Physiological Aspects of Plant Peroxidases. Pp. 249–280. University of Geneva, Geneva 1991.
John, M.K., Van Laerhoven, C.J.: Differential effects of cadmium on lettuce varieties.-Environ. Pollut. 10: 163–173, 1976.
Van Assche, F., Clijsters, H.: Effects of metals on enzyme activity in plants.-Plant Cell Environ. 13: 195–206, 1990.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tahlil, N., Rada, A., Baaziz, M. et al. Quantitative and Qualitative Changes in Peroxidase of Cucurbita Pepo Cultivars Stressed with Heavy Metals. Biologia Plantarum 42, 75–80 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1002119526453
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1002119526453