Google
 

Back to Contents

 

Pak. J. Bot., 47(1): 241-246, 2015.

FREE FULL TEXT PDF

  Back to Contents
   

 

  Updated: 24-02-15

 

 

MAT RUSH (JUNCUS EFFUSUS L.) TROUNCES MANGANESE TOXICITY THROUGH ULTRA-MORPHOLOGICAL MODIFICATIONS AND MANGANESE RESTRICTION IN ROOTS

 

ULLAH NAJEEB1, LING XU2*, SHAFAQAT ALI3, NAEEM IQBAL3 AND WEIJUN ZHOU1

 

Abstract: This study appraised phyto-remediation efficiency and tolerance mechanism of Juncus effusus as was evidenced by ultrastructural modification in its roots under manganese (Mn) toxicity. Three-week-old J. effusus plants were treated with different concentrations of Mn (50, 100 and 500 μM) in hydroponics. Although higher Mn levels caused modifications in growth, biomass, height and root morphological traits, J. effusus tolerated Mn toxicity without showing any obvious phyto-toxic symptoms even under the highest level of Mn (500 μM). With incremental Mn levels in the growth media, the plants showed a steady increase in Mn uptake, while translocation factor (TF) for Mn declined. This illustrated the tendency of J. effusus plants to avoid Mn-induced stress by restricting maximum Mn in root tissues. Electron microscopy of root tip cells elucidated plant tolerance mechanism to Mn toxicity. Modification in cellular shape and size, and increased number of vacuoles and mitochondria appeared to play a major role in induction of tolerance against Mn toxicity, and ultimate survival of plant.

 


1Institute of Crop Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China

2College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China

3Government College University Allama Iqbal Road, 38000, Faisalabad, Pakistan

* Corresponding author e-mail: xulin3035@163.com; Tel.: +86 571 86843195


   
   

 

   
Back to Contents  

 

  Back to Contents