THE SURVIVAL OF PLANTS UNDER ESSENTIAL AND NONESSENTIAL METALS THROUGH MODIFIED METABOLIC PATHWAYS

The current article highlights the survival of the plant Spinacia oleracea under essential micronutrients metal like Cu and Mn and one nonessential metal Pb. The plants were cultivated by randomized design under a natural environment, where Spinacia oleracea was treated with Cu, Mn, and Pb solution respectively in triplicates for six months. Accumulation of metals was tested using Atomic absorption spectroscopy, and their impact on the survival of plants investigated through primary and secondary biochemical analysis. Results showed hyperaccumulation of metals in tissues of tested plants followed by an increase in the concentration of cellulose and lignin in Cu and Mn plants (6.0 +/- 0.2 mu g/g & 935 +/- 1.0 mg/g; 7.1 +/- 0.1 mu g/g & 985 +/- 1.7 mg/g respectively) while it was reduced in Pb plants (5 +/- 0.1 mu g/g & 279 +/- 0.2 mg/g) over control plant (1 +/- 0.1 mu g/g & 329 +/- 0.2 mg/g) respectively. Furthermore, plant chloroplast pigments, starch, proteins, proline, Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, amylase, and peroxidase showed variations in concentrations followed by the erect and strengthening toxic plants over untreated ones. The elevated concentration of secondary metabolites in metal-mediated plants conveyed evidence of survival of these plants under metal pollution until the maturity level. The outcome of the research provides a better understanding of the established defense system against the elevated concentration of essential and no essential metals.