Effect of hexavalent chromium on the growth and physiological and biochemical parameters on Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC

Abstract

In order to determine the toxic effect of chromium Cr(VI) on the seed germination, the root and shoot length, the root-cotyledonary leaves, the fresh and dry weight in eight-day-old seedlings Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC (kale) were treated with various concentrations of Cr in the growth medium. The accumulation of chromium in the tissues was determined in the cotyledons and the roots of the kale seedlings. High rate of Cr uptake was observed in the roots. But the organs could not accumulate large amount Cr. The effect of Cr on B. oleracea var. acephala was evaluated by changes in chlorophyll a, b, lipid peroxidation, proline, ascorbate, protein carbonyl groups, non-protein thiols and peroxidase activity. There were significant decreases in chlorophylls a, b content of the plants treated with Cr. Chromium treated kale seedlings had higher lipid peroxidation and the protein carbonyl groups in cotyledonary leaves than the roots. The changes refer to toxic effects of Cr. There were increases in the non-protein thiol, the total ascorbate, and proline content in the cotyledons and the roots of the seedlings grown on the media containing 0.1 and 0.15 mM Cr. The guaiacol peroxidase activity was higher in the roots of the seedlings than their cotyledons. © 2011 Akademiai Kiado, Budapest.