Structural traits of leaf epidermis correspond to metal tolerance in Rumex acetosella populations growing on metal-contaminated soils.

The pseudometallophyte Rumex acetosella L. occupies habitats with normal and high soil concentrations of zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu). It remains unclear if the plants respond to the toxic metals by altering their morphology and increasing the resilience of their cells.

Early Zn2+-induced effects on membrane potential account for primary heavy metal susceptibility in tolerant and sensitive Arabidopsis species.

Background And Aims: Uptake of heavy metals by plant root cells depends on electro-physiological parameters of the plasma membrane. In this study, responses of the plasma membrane in root cells were analysed where early reactions to the metal ion-induced stress are localized. Three different Arabidopsis species with diverse strategies of their adaptation to heavy metals were compared: sensitive Arabidopsis thaliana and tolerant A.