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Cadmium tolerance in Schinus molle trees is modulated by enhanced leaf anatomy and photosynthesis

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Low concentrations of cadmium cause anatomical responses in leaf chlorenchyma enhancing Schinus molle photosynthesis and tolerance.

Abstract

This work is aimed to evaluate the effects of cadmium (Cd) on leaf anatomy and photosynthesis in Schinus molle, a species that can cope with harsh environments. Seven-month-old S. molle plants were exposed over 90 days to varying Cd concentrations (0, 10, 20, 50, 125 or 250 µM using Cd(NO3)2 as the Cd source). The plants were placed in vases containing washed sand and vermiculite as the substrate and nutrient solution. Throughout the experiment, the substrate was maintained at field capacity, and the nutrient solution was replaced at 15-day intervals. After 90 days, leaves were collected and processed for anatomical analysis using typical plant microtechniques. In addition, plant growth, photosynthesis, chlorophyll content and A/Ci curve were evaluated using an infrared gas analyzer. S. molle growth was not affected by Cd. Lower Cd concentrations (10 and 20 µM) resulted in greater net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and density, Vcmax, Jmax and mesophyll thickness. However, Cd concentrations of 50 µM or greater resulted in a reduction of most of the evaluated characteristics to levels close to control. All of the tested Cd concentrations resulted in reduced chlorophyll content and stomatal size. Therefore, the effect of Cd in a tolerant species such as S. molle is concentration dependent, and at low Cd concentrations, these plants can cope with the toxicity by adjusting leaf structure and function.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank CNPq [Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development)], CAPES [Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel)], and FAPEMIG [Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do estado de Minas Gerais (Minas Gerais State Research Foundation)] for funding and research grants awarded to complete the present study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Biologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Botânica Aplicada, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil

    Marcio Paulo Pereira, Luiz Carlos de Almeida Rodrigues, Felipe Fogaroli Corrêa, Evaristo Mauro de Castro, Vinícius Erlo Ribeiro & Fabricio José Pereira

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  1. Marcio Paulo Pereira
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  2. Luiz Carlos de Almeida Rodrigues
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  3. Felipe Fogaroli Corrêa
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  4. Evaristo Mauro de Castro
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  6. Fabricio José Pereira
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Correspondence to Fabricio José Pereira.

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Communicated by J. Major.

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Pereira, M.P., Rodrigues, L.C.d., Corrêa, F.F. et al. Cadmium tolerance in Schinus molle trees is modulated by enhanced leaf anatomy and photosynthesis. Trees 30, 807–814 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-015-1322-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-015-1322-0

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