Changes in nitrate reductase activity and oxidative stress response in the moss Polytrichum commune subjected to chromium, copper and zinc phytotoxicity

Abstract

The main aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of chromium (Cr), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) on nitrate reductase (NR) activity and oxidative stress responses in the moss Polytrichum commune. Cr, Cu and Zn resulted in the inhibition of NR activity. A decline in total chlorophyll content was observed after 24 and 48 h of metal treatment. Accumulation of the metals showed a dose and time dependent increase. High accumulation of Cu, Cr and Zn were seen in moss shoots after 24 and 48 h of treatment. Treatment of Cr, Cu and Zn for 24 or 48 h resulted in the increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) content in moss shoots. The highest increase was observed in shoots under Cu treatment followed by Cr and Zn. The MDA content was significantly higher after 48h. Antioxidant enzymes viz., catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were affected by elevated concentrations of the three metals. Increase in the activity of CAT, GR and SOD was seen after 24 and 48 h of treatment. GPx activity declined under Cr treatment. However, under Cu and Zn, an increase in GPx was seen after 24 h and 48 h of treatment. For Zn, the antioxidant efficiency was less affected as compared to Cr and Cu. The response of Polytrichum commune to toxic concentrations of Cr, Cu and Zn appears to induce oxidative damage as observed by the increase in MDA content and antioxidant metabolism.