Scientific publications

The effect of elevated zinc concentrations (1000, 2500 and 5000 µM) on the growth and photosynthetic apparatus (PSA) of white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) was studied in a controlled environment. It was found that under zinc at 1000 and 2500 µM concentrations, the leaves area increases, the chlorophylls and carotenoids content increases, and stomatal conductance rises. No significant changes in the ratio of chlorophylls (a / b) and the activity of photosystem II (PS II), determined by the Fv/Fm index, which characterizes the potential quantum yield of photochemical activity of PS II, were found. All this allowed the plants of the experimental variants to maintain the photosynthesis rate at the control level, and also ensured their successful growth and accumulation of dry biomass under these conditions. Only an increase of zinc concentration to 5000 µM led to inhibition of root and shoot growth and a complete cessation of plant development in the cotyledons leaf phase. The results indicate a relatively high resistance of white mustard to a zinc excess and the possibility of its use to increase the fertility of agricultural soils contaminated zinc.