Chlorophyll biosynthesis suppression, oxidative level and cell cycle arrest caused by Ni, Cr and Pb stress in maize exposed to treated soil from the Ferronikel smelter in Drenas, Kosovo

Although certain trace elements are essential for normal plant functionality, an excessive increase in their concentration can disrupt plant development and physiology due to phytotoxicity. This study aims to determine the toxic tolerance limits for different concentrations of Ni and Cr (50, 100, 20...

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Main Authors: Bekim Gashi, Liridon Buqaj, Ramë Vataj, Metin Tuna
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-03-01
Series:Plant Stress
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667064X24000332
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author Bekim Gashi
Liridon Buqaj
Ramë Vataj
Metin Tuna
author_facet Bekim Gashi
Liridon Buqaj
Ramë Vataj
Metin Tuna
author_sort Bekim Gashi
collection DOAJ
description Although certain trace elements are essential for normal plant functionality, an excessive increase in their concentration can disrupt plant development and physiology due to phytotoxicity. This study aims to determine the toxic tolerance limits for different concentrations of Ni and Cr (50, 100, 200, and 400 ppm) and Pb (20, 50, 100, and 200 ppm) in maize seedlings grown in soil collected near the Ferronikel smelter in Drenas, Kosovo. We will assess these limits using sensitive biomarkers, including δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) activity, δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) content, chlorophyll content, glutathione (GSH) levels, and lipid peroxidation (MDA), as well as by evaluating DNA content and cell cycle dynamics. All the investigated heavy metals showed a significant increase in concentration in leaves; in particular, Ni showed a strong significant association between its concentration in treatment and in the leaves. At concentrations of 400 ppm, Ni and Cr had significant negative effects on all biomarkers, with ALA-D activity inhibited by up to 50%, and total chlorophyll content significantly decreased. A robust correlation was observed between Ni and Cr and the level of cellular oxidative stress in leaves, as monitored through GSH, lipid peroxidation, and ALA levels. Additionally, the cell cycle, especially in the G1 and G2/M phases, was arrested. These findings emphasize the significant adverse impact of high concentrations of Ni and Cr in plant metabolism. This research contributes to our understanding of managing and mitigating heavy metal contamination in agricultural areas and its potential implications for plant defense mechanisms.
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spelling doaj.art-c3e53d71666c430db1cad6e6db062b082024-02-05T04:32:25ZengElsevierPlant Stress2667-064X2024-03-0111100379Chlorophyll biosynthesis suppression, oxidative level and cell cycle arrest caused by Ni, Cr and Pb stress in maize exposed to treated soil from the Ferronikel smelter in Drenas, KosovoBekim Gashi0Liridon Buqaj1Ramë Vataj2Metin Tuna3Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Prishtinë 10000, KosovoDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Prishtinë 10000, Kosovo; Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University “Ukshin Hoti” in Prizren, Prizren 20000, Kosovo; Corresponding author at: Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University “Ukshin Hoti” in Prizren, Prizren 20000, Kosovo.Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Prishtinë 10000, KosovoDepartment of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag 59000, TurkeyAlthough certain trace elements are essential for normal plant functionality, an excessive increase in their concentration can disrupt plant development and physiology due to phytotoxicity. This study aims to determine the toxic tolerance limits for different concentrations of Ni and Cr (50, 100, 200, and 400 ppm) and Pb (20, 50, 100, and 200 ppm) in maize seedlings grown in soil collected near the Ferronikel smelter in Drenas, Kosovo. We will assess these limits using sensitive biomarkers, including δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) activity, δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) content, chlorophyll content, glutathione (GSH) levels, and lipid peroxidation (MDA), as well as by evaluating DNA content and cell cycle dynamics. All the investigated heavy metals showed a significant increase in concentration in leaves; in particular, Ni showed a strong significant association between its concentration in treatment and in the leaves. At concentrations of 400 ppm, Ni and Cr had significant negative effects on all biomarkers, with ALA-D activity inhibited by up to 50%, and total chlorophyll content significantly decreased. A robust correlation was observed between Ni and Cr and the level of cellular oxidative stress in leaves, as monitored through GSH, lipid peroxidation, and ALA levels. Additionally, the cell cycle, especially in the G1 and G2/M phases, was arrested. These findings emphasize the significant adverse impact of high concentrations of Ni and Cr in plant metabolism. This research contributes to our understanding of managing and mitigating heavy metal contamination in agricultural areas and its potential implications for plant defense mechanisms.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667064X24000332PhytotoxicityHeavy metalsAgricultural soilsBiomarkersCell cycle arrest
spellingShingle Bekim Gashi
Liridon Buqaj
Ramë Vataj
Metin Tuna
Chlorophyll biosynthesis suppression, oxidative level and cell cycle arrest caused by Ni, Cr and Pb stress in maize exposed to treated soil from the Ferronikel smelter in Drenas, Kosovo
Plant Stress
Phytotoxicity
Heavy metals
Agricultural soils
Biomarkers
Cell cycle arrest
title Chlorophyll biosynthesis suppression, oxidative level and cell cycle arrest caused by Ni, Cr and Pb stress in maize exposed to treated soil from the Ferronikel smelter in Drenas, Kosovo
title_full Chlorophyll biosynthesis suppression, oxidative level and cell cycle arrest caused by Ni, Cr and Pb stress in maize exposed to treated soil from the Ferronikel smelter in Drenas, Kosovo
title_fullStr Chlorophyll biosynthesis suppression, oxidative level and cell cycle arrest caused by Ni, Cr and Pb stress in maize exposed to treated soil from the Ferronikel smelter in Drenas, Kosovo
title_full_unstemmed Chlorophyll biosynthesis suppression, oxidative level and cell cycle arrest caused by Ni, Cr and Pb stress in maize exposed to treated soil from the Ferronikel smelter in Drenas, Kosovo
title_short Chlorophyll biosynthesis suppression, oxidative level and cell cycle arrest caused by Ni, Cr and Pb stress in maize exposed to treated soil from the Ferronikel smelter in Drenas, Kosovo
title_sort chlorophyll biosynthesis suppression oxidative level and cell cycle arrest caused by ni cr and pb stress in maize exposed to treated soil from the ferronikel smelter in drenas kosovo
topic Phytotoxicity
Heavy metals
Agricultural soils
Biomarkers
Cell cycle arrest
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667064X24000332
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