Effect of copper on germination and seedling growth of Minuartia, Silene, Alyssum and Thlaspi

Abstract

The influence of increasing copper concentrations on seed germination, seedling survival and radicle length of Minuartia hirsuta, Silene compacta, Alyssum montanum and Thlaspi ochroleucum was studied. Seed germination was highly affected by the higher Cu2+ concentrations (80 and 160 μM), while lower Cu2+ concentrations seemed to be necessary for seed germination, even for the plants originated from non-Cu2+-rich soils (i.e. A. montanum). Nevertheless, plants originated from Cu2+-rich soils (M. hirsuta, S. compacta) showed a higher demand of Cu2+ for rapid seed germination. Cu2+ at higher concentrations severely reduced growth rate of radicle, especially in A. montanum and T. ochroleucum. These data clearly indicate the reduced suitability of the above mentioned plant species for reclamation on Cu2+ soils. Lower Cu2+-concentrations had no influence on seedling survival in M. hirsuta and S. compacta, but a progressive reduction of a number of survived seedlings with increasing Cu2+ concentration was found, that was more pronounced in A. montanum and T. ochroleucum. © 1995 Institute of Experimental Botany, ASCR.