THE SUBCELLUAR DISTRIBUTION OF ZINC AND COPPER WITHIN THE ROOTS OF METAL‐TOLERANT CLONES OF AGROSTIS TENUIS SIBTH.

Abstract

Heavy metal tolerance in the common bent grass Agrostis tennis Sibth. was investigated by comparing the zinc and copper distribution within the roots of metal‐tolerant and non‐tolerant clones. Analysis of root subcellular fractions showed the importance of the cell wall fraction in metal binding in root cells of metal‐tolerant A. tenuis. At normal nutrient levels the root cell wall from metal‐tolerant clones contained more copper and zinc than did non‐tolerant material. High levels of metal nutrition demonstrated the accumulating power of this fraction. Alterations in the nutrient level of one heavy metal did not influence the distribution of the other metal studied. The importance of metal accumulation by the cell wall fraction is discussed and it is proposed that it is an important site in the mechanism of heavy metal tolerance in A. tenuis. Copyright © 1970, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved