Physio-anatomical responses of tobacco under caffeine stress

Caffeine, a purine alkaloid, is reported to act both as an inducer or inhibitor to plant growth in various species. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of exogenous caffeine on tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants, a plant that does not naturally synthesise caffeine. A hydroponic experiment was carried out in a growth chamber for 14 d using Hoagland's solution supplemented with 0 (control), 25, 50, 100, 1,000; and 5,000 mu M caffeine. None of the investigated caffeine concentrations significantly decreased the net photosynthetic rate except the highest concentrations of 1,000 and 5,000 mu M. Light microscopy of thick-sectioned roots showed that 1,000 mu M and 5,000 mu M caffeine-treated plants possessed deformed epidermal cells, reduced number of cortical cells, and deformed vascular tissues with cells exhibiting thickened xylem walls as compared with control plants. Moreover, transmission electron micrographs of roots revealed that mitochondria and the plasma membrane were affected.