Cu Content In Tissues Research Articles

The influence of nanotechnological preparations of plant protection on the viability of bees and the content of microelements in their tissues

The research was performed in terms of keeping bees in an incubator. Bees were selected families of analog and divided into control (І) and 6 experimental (ІІ-ІV) groups. Over 7 days, bees of control and experimental groups were fed 1 ml sugar syrup (SS), adding to that amount of citrate of polielemental nanotechnology drugs recommended for plant protection – “Avatar-Insecticide” (“A-I”) and “Avatar-Fungicide” (“A-F”) in a dilution of 1:1000 (II, III groups) and 1: 500 (IV, V groups) and their VI compatible combination (1:1000) and VII (1:500) groups. Every day number of live and dead bees in groups in absolute and relative values were counted. For 7 th day of feeding bees, drugs were taken to determine Co Zn, Cu, Ag in tissues. The results were statistically processed with the use of Microsoft Excel. The aim of the research is safety for beekeeping use of experimental drugs for plant protection “A-F” and “A-I” the conditions of feeding their bees. The differences of influence of drugs “A-F” and “A-I” on safety and loss of bees, their content in tissues Co and Cu depending on concentration, method, and duration of use were shown. The significant positive effect of feeding “A-F” drug dilution of 1:1000 on the safety of bees with the increase in the number of living by 12.7 % on day 7 compared to the control was noted. Application of this the drug in a dilution of 1:500 and its mixture with “A-I” in a dilution of 1:1000 and 1:500 reduced rates of preservation of bees throughout the research period. Separate feeding preparation of “A-F” and “A-I” compatible with dilutions of 1:1000 and 1:500 resulted in the highest content of Cо in the tissues of bees. Noted lower Cu content in tissues bee research groups at higher levels amid Zn and Ag by joint action both drugs in a dilution of 1:500 compared to the control. The results indicate a toxic effect of “A-I” drug to bees in the laboratory employed in concentrations and combinations and drug “A-F” – only a dilution of 1:500. Found high the ability of the cumulative drug doses applied “A-F” content of Co tissues of bees.

Variation in Copper Content in the Cultivated Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam.

This article provides an overview of individual features of Cu content in shells and soft tissues of the M. galloprovincialis specimens cultivated in the coastal waters of Sevastopol. It is shown that Cu deposition in the shells limits the elongation of shells in mollusks 30.20 ± 0.07 mm in size and the convexity of shells in mollusks 50.30 ± 0.14 mm in size. Such changes can affect soft tissue mass and economic performance of mussel farms. The Cu content in the shell does not increase with the age of the mollusk and does not exceed 8–12 µg/g of ash. In soft tissues, the content of Cu depends on the size, season, sex, and stage of gonad maturation and is 8–10 times as high as in the shell. Remarkably, females in M. galloprovincialis accumulate Cu in soft tissue in larger quantities than the males. Among the studied size groups of mollusks, the Cu content in the tissues of females varies more widely (CV 53–57%) than in males (25–36%). The findings can be used for assessing the quality of mussel-farm products and studying polymorphism, abnormalites in the development of mussels, and sex reversal in populations of cultivated mussels M. galloprovincialis.

Copper Toxicity on Photosynthetic Responses and Root Morphology of Hymenaea courbaril L. (Caesalpinioideae)

Copper (Cu) is a micronutrient essential for plant development. However, in excess, it is toxic to plants and may cause various physiological and morphological changes. The study of the growth of plants exposed to excess Cu is important for the development of phytoremediation programs and for understanding the mechanisms involved in the tolerance of this metal. In this context, the objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of excess copper on photosynthetic responses and root morphology of Hymenaea courbaril L. Biometric measurements, gas exchange, root morphology, and Cu content in tissues and indices (TI and TF) were assessed, involving metal content and biomass. Up to a concentration of 200 mg kg−1, Cu favored growth, gas exchange, and root morphology of the plants under study. At a higher concentration (800 mg kg−1) in the soil, it affected plant growth and caused a decrease in photosynthetic rate. Biochemical limitations in photosynthesis were observed, as well as lower maximum net photosynthetic rate (Amax), respiration rate in the dark (Rd), light compensation point (LCP), light saturation point (LSP), and apparent quantum yield (α), when exposed to excess Cu. Root length, surface area, mean diameter, root volume, dry biomass, and specific root length decreased with high Cu concentrations in the soil. Cu was accumulated in the roots as a mechanism of tolerance to the excess of this metal in order to preserve the most metabolically active tissues present in the leaves. At a concentration of 800 mg kg−1, copper also caused inhibition of the root system. Plants of H. courbaril showed tolerance to excess Cu in the soil and can be indicated for the recovery of areas contaminated with this metal.

Influence of copper ions on growth, lipid peroxidation, and proline and polyamines content in carrot rosettes obtained from anther culture

Effect of Cu (0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μM) on the regeneration of carrot (Daucus carota L.) androgenic embryos of var. Feria and 1014 breeding line as well as on polyamines (PAs), proline contents, lipid peroxidation and Cu accumulation after 16 and 24 weeks was studied. Generally, growth of Feria rosettes was better than that of the 1014 line. Significant increase in Cu content in tissues was observed in both cultures grown at the highest Cu concentration (100 μM). The dose-dependent increase in proline in the 16-week-old culture of Feria was observed, while in 1014 its level increased only at the highest applied Cu concentration. On the contrary, in the 24-week-old culture, significant increase in the proline content were observed at 100 and 10 μM Cu in Feria and in 1014 breeding lines, respectively. The decline in proline content and decrease in embryogenic ability in the line 1014 grown in the presence of the highest Cu concentration for 24 weeks may indicate that a certain threshold of intracellular Cu was crossed. Both in Feria and 1014 line, putrescine and spermidine were the most abundant free PAs. The increased content of proline and higher contents of the constitutive free putrescine and spermidine in Feria cultivated for 24 weeks at the highest Cu concentration point to better protection of this cultivar. Thus, it seems that the higher tolerance of Feria to oxidative stress (characterized by lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substances value) may result from higher constitutive level of PAs. These data confirm the suggestion that variations in PA levels depend not only on the concentrations of metals tested, but also on plant species and cultivars. The role of PAs and proline in the carrot cultures treated with Cu is discussed.

Morphological and Physiological Responses of Barley Plants Grown on Soils Characterised by Metal Toxicity and Metal Deficiency

Aim of this work was to investigate which are the effects on barley crops grown on two different soils: a soil lacking in Cu, an essential micronutrient (A) and a naturally polluted soil rich in lead, zinc, copper (B). In particular we investigated the relationship between some ecophysiological parameters such as biomass, chlorophyll concentration and guaiacolo peroxidase activity and the chemical-physical properties of the soils like pH, organic matter and heavy metal content. Because metals uptake by plants is strongly correlated with the bioavailable fraction rather then their total amount in a soil, we have measured also metal exchangeable forms, using a single extraction method (MgCl2 as extractant). Plants grown on soil B showed a metal content higher than background limits, whereas plants grown on soil A were characterised by a background Fe and Zn concentrations and by a tolerant Pb concentration. Conversely, Cu content in tissues of plants grown in soil A is found to be under the background limits. Copper-deficiency plants present chlorotic leaves followed by a reduced clorophyll content, while plants grown on metals contaminated soil showed an increase of peroxidase activity.

Upper critical level of copper to alfalfa, in ten Chilean soils

A pot-experiment to determine the Cu upper critical level (UCL) in some representative Chilean soils using alfalfa plants as indicators was carried out at La Platina Experimental Station from 1988 to 1989. Those soils having an abundant clay fraction dominated by 2:1 minerals and/or high organic matter contents retained Cu very strongly showing low Cu toxicity and high Cu-UCL. Reversely, those soils having few clay minerals or abundant ones dominated by 1:1 minerals and/or low organic matter contents showed weak Cu retention giving pronounced toxic effects reflected by low Cu-UCL values. Growth depletion was related to increased Cu content in the aerial biomass reflecting an additional Cu uptake by roots and its translocation into the aerial part of the plants; normal plants were associated to normal Cu contents in tissues.