Effects of the short term exposure of wheat seedlings to silver nitrate

Abstract

Wheat seedlings grown in the laboratory on liquid nutrient solutions were exposed to Ag+ at concentrations of 100 mmol×L-1 and 200 mmol×L-1 by immersing theirs roots in AgNO3 solutions for 90 min. 48 hours thereafter, certain biochemical parameters of the plants were assayed using appropriate analytical methods. Following the exposure to Ag+, a marked increase of both glucose concentration and soluble peroxidases activity, along with a decrease in the concentration of soluble proteins were measured in the roots of wheat plants, compared to control plants. Leaf chlorophylls and carotenoids contents, as well as the analyzed biometric data did not vary significantly in the plants exposed to Ag+ compared to control ones. However, significant changes in root branching were observed following the exposure of wheat plants to silver. A regulatory role of Ag+ through the modulation of phytohormones’ signaling is discussed.