Zinc and cadmium as modulating factors of the morphophysiological responses of Alternanthera tenella Colla (Amaranthaceae) under in vitro conditions

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) plays an important role in the physiological processes in plants and may mitigate trace element stress. The aim was to evaluate the morphophysiological responses of Alternanthera tenella plants exposed to cadmium (Cd) and Zn under in vitro conditions. Segments of A. tenella were transferred to flasks containing medium supplemented with different combinations of Cd (0, 75, or 150 μM) and Zn (0, 750, or 1,500 μM) concentrations, totalizing nine treatments. We assessed the growth traits, anatomy, chlorophyll a fluorescence by OJIPs, and tolerance index (TI). With exposure only to Cd, the plants showed physiological disorders. Zn supplementation in the medium had a positive effect on the physiological performance of plants. At concentrations ≤ 750 μM, it can partially mitigate the deleterious effects of Cd. Plants grown with Cd and Zn showed intermediate TI. The results proved the potential of Zn as a mitigator of Cd-induced stress in plants.

Keywords

• chlorophyll a fluorescence
• electron transport flux
• phytoremediation
• plant tissue culture
• trace element