Stress memory in two generations of Plantago major from radioactive and chemical contaminated areas after the cessation of exposure

Abstract

Hypothesis

The differences in viability, root length, and pro/antioxidant features of Plantago major seedlings identified in seed progeny formed in areas of radioactive and chemical contamination can persist in subsequent generations after the elimination of the stress.

Materials and methods

The seed mixtures of F1 generation were collected from P. major natural populations (P plants) growing for a long time in the East Ural Radioactive Trace, the Karabash Copper Smelter zone, and background area. The seeds of F2 generation were obtained from F1 generation plants grown on experimental plots with ‘clean’ agricultural background; F3 generation was grown from F2 generation on the same plots. The viability of seed progeny was estimated by survival rate and root length. Pro/antioxidant features were determined spectrophotometrically by malondialdehyde content, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, and total content of low molecular weight antioxidants in seedlings.

Results and conclusions

The hypothesis about the persistence of effects from chronic exposure to ionizing radiation and chemical contamination in the generations’ sequence of P. major after the removal of stress was confirmed only partially. The data obtained indicated that changes in the prooxidant and antioxidant features of plants in response to low doses of ionizing radiation can persist for at least in two generations after the stress removal. In the case of long-term exposure to chemical contaminants, we observed the persistence of the effect in a succession of generations only on the morphological indicator of root length.

Keywords:

• Plantago major
• viability of seeds
• oxidative stress
• transgenerational effects
• radioactive and chemical contamination

Acknowledgments

The authors immensely thank Dr. E. Antonova for the insightful discussion of the manuscript, T. Belyaeva for the help with plants’ cultivation, and O. Rafikova for the help in the seed germination experiment.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The analysis of viability and biochemical features of P. major samples from EURT, data interpretation and manuscript writing has been supported by Russian Science Foundation (grant No. 21-74-00038). Seed collection in the EURT and KCS area, obtaining seeds generations, and the analysis of P. major samples from the KCS zone was carried out within the framework of the state assignment of the Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Notes on contributors

Nadezhda S. Shimalina

Nadezhda S. Shimalina, Candidate of Biological Sciences, Researcher in Laboratory of Population Radiobiology, Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yekaterinburg, Russia.

Vera N. Pozolotina

Vera N. Pozolotina, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Head of Laboratory of Population Radiobiology, Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yekaterinburg, Russia.

Natalya A. Orekhova

Natalya A. Orekhova, Candidate of Biological Sciences, Senior Researcher in Laboratory of Population Radiobiology, Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yekaterinburg, Russia.