Physiological responses of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) plants due to different copper concentrations

Authors

  • Cristina Copstein Cuchiara Universidade Federal de Pelotas
  • Mara Cíntia Winhelmann Universidade Federal de Pelotas
  • Cristina Ferreira Larré Universidade Federal de Pelotas
  • Juliana Aparecida Fernando Universidade Federal de Pelotas
  • Eugenia Jacira Bolacel Braga Universidade Federal de Pelotas
  • José Antonio Peters Universidade Federal de Pelotas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2015v36n6Supl2p4165

Keywords:

Micronutrient, Antioxidant metabolism, Mineral content, Copper sulfate, Stress.

Abstract

At low concentrations, Cu is considered as an essential micronutrient for plants and as a constituent and activator of several enzymes. However, when in excess, Cu can negatively affect plant growth and metabolism. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate physiological responses of sweet potato plants at different Cu concentrations by measuring morphological parameters, antioxidant metabolism, stomatal characteristics, and mineral profile. For this purpose, sweet potato plants were grown hydroponically in complete nutrient solution for six days. Then, the plants were transferred to solutions containing different Cu concentrations, 0.041 (control), 0.082, and 0.164 mM, and maintained for nine days. The main effect of increased Cu concentration was observed in the roots. The sweet potato plants grown in 0.082 mM Cu solution showed increased activity of antioxidant enzymes and no changes in growth parameters. However, at a concentration of 0.164 mM, Cu was transported from the roots to the shoots. This concentration altered morpho-anatomical characteristics and activated the antioxidant system because of the stress generated by excess Cu. On the basis of the results, it can be concluded that the sweet potato plants were able to tolerate Cu toxicity until 0.082 mM.

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Author Biographies

Cristina Copstein Cuchiara, Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Bióloga, Dra em Fisiologia Vegetal, Deptº de Botânica, DB, Instituto de Biologia, IB, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, UFPel, Capão do Leão, RS, Brasil.

Mara Cíntia Winhelmann, Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Discente do Curso de Graduação em Agronomia, Faculdade de Agronomia Eliseu Maciel, FAEM, UFPel, Capão do Leão, RS, Brasil

Cristina Ferreira Larré, Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Bióloga, Dra em Fisiologia Vegetal, Deptº de Botânica, DB, Instituto de Biologia, IB, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, UFPel, Capão do Leão, RS, Brasil.

Juliana Aparecida Fernando, Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Bióloga, Profa Dra, DB, IB, UFPel, Capão do Leão, RS, Brasil

Eugenia Jacira Bolacel Braga, Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Bióloga, Profa Dra, DB, IB, UFPel, Capão do Leão, RS, Brasil.

José Antonio Peters, Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Engº Agrº, Prof. Dr., DB, IB, UFPel, Capão do Leão, RS, Brasil.

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Published

2015-12-16

How to Cite

Cuchiara, C. C., Winhelmann, M. C., Larré, C. F., Fernando, J. A., Braga, E. J. B., & Peters, J. A. (2015). Physiological responses of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) plants due to different copper concentrations. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, 36(6Supl2), 4165–4176. https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2015v36n6Supl2p4165

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