Physiological-Biochemical and Molecular Change in Triticum aestivum L. Exposed to Lead Stress

Abstract

Abstract Lead (Pb) is one of the most hazardous heavy metals that generate environmental pollution because it spreads as metal or compound into the atmosphere and is toxic in all cases. Pb is nondegradable, it can easily enter the food chain and endanger the health of humans and animals. It is unavoidable to investigate the protective mechanisms and toxicity of lead which is very harmful to plant such as genetic, physiological, and biochemical changes. In this study, the negative effects of Pb to the metallothionein (MT) genes expression and also recovery effects of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and salicylic acid (SA) against lead defects were analyzed by the qRT-PCR technique in heavy metal stress-sensitive wheat variety. It has been determined that the MT gene expression changes occur according to the organs and also in recovering applications positively affect these expressions. In addition, research founds confirmed that physiological (relative water content, chlorophyll content, and cell membrane damage) and biochemical changes catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) content) have been seen on lead stress condition and also SA, Cu and Zn applications have recovering effects. In the case of stress, SA, Cu, and Zn applications have been revealed to play a role in reducing toxicity by altering MT genes expressions and enzyme activities.