The effect of different concentrations of Mn on yield and growth rate of Arabidopsis plants

TManganese (Mn) is an essential element for growth and
development of plants. This micronutrient plays a key
role in activation of more than 35 enzymes in plants (Millaleo
et al. 2010). The action of these enzymes induces
the important biological and physiological functions in
plants. Some of these functions have been recognized in
Arabidopsis as model plant (Delhaize et al. 2007; Lanquar
et al. 2010). The current experiment was conducted
to investigate the effect of Mn at different concentrations
on growth and yield of Arabidopsis plants. For this purpose,
Arabidopsis seeds (cv. Colo) were germinated on
medium culture containing 0, 70, 200 and 600 μM Mn
as MnSO4 in light and dark rooms. After one week, the
fresh weights and root length (for light-grown seedlings)
as well as hypocotyl length (for dark-grown seedlings) were
recorded. The yield index of plants was calculated by dividing
the fresh weight of seedlings by percentage of seed
germination. Results showed that the yield index of Arabidopsis
plants grown in light room remained unchanged
up to 200 μM Mn, while, by application of 600 μM Mn
a decrease was observed in plant yield. For the seedlings
cultured in dark room, the same trend was also observed.
Although application of 70 and 200 μM Mn had no significant
effect on root and hypocotyl lengths of Arabidopsis
seedlings, the use of 600 μM Mn decreased the
amount of these parameters. These results revealed that
this concentration of Mn (600 μM) may be toxic for Arabidopsis
seedlings (Peiter et al. 2007). However, more
studies is needed for characterizing the toxic threshold
level of Mn in Arabidopsis plants.

Author(s): Samane Eskandari , H. Hofte

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