Influence of Cd and Ni on Content of N, P, K, Nitrates and Activity of Nitrate Reductase in Clones of Salix Spp.

ABSTRACT

Influence of excessive amounts of heavy metals to plant nutrients and metabolism of mineral elements is usually regarded as inhibiting. Results of this paper are only partially in correspondence with this hypothesis. Levels of investigated nutrients were determined in four willow clones exposed to two concentrations of Cd and Ni in water culture solutions (10⁻⁴ M and 10⁻⁵ M). Nitrogen and nitrate uptake was unaffected. Activity of nitrate reductase was significantly decreased only by Ni. Contents of K and P were highly dependent on genotype and level of applied heavy metals. Possible causes of these variations are discussed.

Keywords:

• esential nutrients
• nitrogen metabolism
• heavy metals