Accumulation of four metals in tissues of Corchorus olitorius and possible mechanisms of their tolerance

Abstract

Corchorus olitorius plants treated by 5 μg cm -3 of Cd, Pb, Al or Cu in hydroponic culture accumulated in leaves 190, 150, 350 and 325 μg g -1(d.m.) of these metals, respectively, after 6 d of exposure. Exposure of Corchorus plants to tested metals resulted in a sharp rise in content of amino acids in leaf tissues, however the magnitude of accumulation was different from one metal to another. Presence of sulphur in the growth medium significantly increased uptake of Cd and Pb and cysteine (cyst) was more effective than K 2SO 4. Similarly, addition of salicylic acid (SA) in the growth medium significantly enhanced the ability of Corchorus plants to accumulate all these metals. Growth of Corchorus plants was significantly reduced by treatment with any of the four metals except Cu and added cyst, K 2SO 4 or SA alleviated the growth retarding effect of metals.