The Research of Low-Molecular Protectors in Taraxacum Officinale Wigg. in Connection with Mining Waste Utilization

Abstract

This paper presents a research on the content of low-molecular metabolites possessing protecting properties (free proline, reducing sugars, succinic acid) in Taraxacum officinale Wigg. which grows on the mining wastes of Kedrovsky open pit in Kemerovo region. The paper also researches the topic of relation between the content of the above substances and morphometric characteristics of the plant such as weight of leaves and roots, length of roots and surface area of leaves. In the course of the research in was established that adverse edaphic effects of mining waste cause adaptive changes of Taraxacum, which affect the plant on biochemical and organ level. As for biochemical level the increase in content of low-molecular protectors in leaves and roots was revealed. As for organ level the evident reduction of morphometric characteristics (weight of leaves and roots, length of root, surface area of leaf) was revealed which can be interpreted as an evidence of xerophytesation increasing the plant’s survivability in hostile environment. The revealed adaptive changes described above form the plant’s resistance to the extreme environmental factors and present an evidence of plant’s ability to fully conduct its vital functions in the conditions of the mining waste.