Effect of metal toxicity on plant growth and metabolism: I. Zinc

Rout, G. R.; Das, P.

doi:10.1051/agro:2002073

Zinc toxicity and problems with regard to tolerance and ecological significance are briefly discussed. Differential tolerance of plant genotypes exposed to zinc toxicity is a more promising approach to enrich our understanding of zinc tolerance in plants. Knowledge concerning the physiology and biochemistry with regard to phytotoxicity, uptake and transport of zinc and tolerance and its characterization are also discussed. The cytotoxic effects of zinc on plants are elucidated. The major change was seen in the nucleus of the root tip cells due to zinc toxicity. The chromatin material was highly condensed and some of the cortical cells showed disruption and dilation of nuclear membrane in presence of 7.5 mM zinc. The cytoplasm became structureless, disintegration of cell organelles and the development of vacuoles were also observed. The number of nucleoli also increased in response to zinc resulting in the synthesis of new protein involved in heavy metal tolerance. This review may help in interdisciplinary studies to assess the ecological significance of metal stress.