Uranium induced effects on development and mineral nutrition of Arabidopsis thaliana

Nathalie Vanhoudt, Hildegarde Vandenhove, Nele Horemans, Daniel Martinez Bello, May Van Hees, Jean Wannijn, Robert Carleer, Jaco Vangronsveld, Ann Cuypers

    Research outputpeer-review

    Abstract

    This study aimed to investigate effects on growth and development and alterations in the nutrient profiles for Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings following uranium exposure. Seventeen-day-old Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings, grown on hydroponics, were exposed to 0, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 µM uranium for 1, 3 and 7 days. Fresh weight of leaves and roots decreased after exposure to 100 µM uranium for 1 and 3 days and after exposure to 1, 10 and 100 µM uranium for 7 days. Anthocyanous-colored leaves and stunted yellow roots were observed after exposure to 100 µM uranium. The uranium content of the roots highly increased but the root-to-shoot transfer of uranium was limited. Uranium exposure resulted in disturbed macro- and micronutrient profiles, especially following exposure to 100 µM. This study indicates that elevated uranium concentrations can cause important morphological and physiological effects and disturb the nutrient profiles in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1940-1956
    JournalJournal of Plant Nutrition
    Volume34
    Issue number13
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Oct 2011

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