Uptake, accumulation and some biochemical responses in Raphanus sativus L. to zinc stress

The responses of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) to increasing concentrations of ZnCl2 (1, 5 and 10 mM) in Hoagland nutrient medium were studied. Under the conditions of these increasing zinc concentrations, the highest zinc accumulation was obtained in the roots of the plants treated with 10 mM applications. The zinc concentration in the vegetative parts, was highest in the root and was lowest in the cotyledons. The highest bioconcentration factor (BCF) value was detected in the roots in 5 mM zinc applications. When compared with the control, total zinc uptake was observed to increase in 1, 5 and 10 mM ZnCl2 treatments. The total accumulation rate (TAR) for zinc was highest in 10 mM ZnCl2 treatment, while the lowest TAR was observed in radish plants exposed to 1 mM ZnCl2. Plants treated with 5, 10 mM ZnCl2 showed significant decreases in chlorophyll (Chl a, Chl b, Chl a/b) and carotenoid content compared with the control. Peroxidase (POD) activity especially in radish roots increased significantly with increasing concentrations of ZnCl2 (5 and 10 mM) while the total protein amount decreased when compared with the control. The results of this study showed that, radish plants could tolerate the negative effects of zinc stress up to 1 mM ZnCl2 concentration and that in zinc concentrations of 5 mM and above toxic effects were existent.