The effect of exogenous DIM on Brassica napus and its role in response to heavy metal stress
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Date
2017
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Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Brassica napus is a plant that is used for human and animal consumption.
This plant is also used for phytoremediation due to its relatively higher level
of heavy metal tolerance. In South Africa, mining is one of the main drivers
of the economy. One of the major negative environmental impacts of mining
is heavy metal contamination. Soil metal content can rise to levels that are
quite high and can even have a negative impact on the yields of B. napus
crop. The glucosinolate-myrosinase system of B. napus is a system that is
used as defence against biotic stressors. Indole glucosinolate breakdown
products have been proven to enhance the antioxidant capacity of plants.
Some have also shown growth promoting properties in plants.
We studied the effect of exogenous DIM on B. napus and it role in Zr
induced heavy metal stress. Germination percentages revealed that DIM
increased germination, Zr application decreased germination and the DIMZr
treatment reversed the negative impact of Zr application on B. napus.
The effect of treatments on the biomass of B. napus was assessed by
determining the dry weights. Results show that exogenous DIM improves
biomass. Zr application decreased biomass and DIM-Zr treatment
ameliorated the effect of Zr application.
Description
Magister Scientiae - MSc (Biotechnology)
Keywords
Aminolevulinic acid, Ascorbate peroxidase, Adenosine triphosphate, Butylated hydroxytoluene, Breast cancer protein