Abstract
The biochemical and physiological effects of fluoride were investigated in loquat trees (Eriobotrya japonica) grown in the vicinity of a phosphate fertilizer plant in Tunisia. Photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (E), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were assessed; along with photosynthetic pigments, lipid peroxidation, electrolytic leakage (EL) and total phenolic contents in foliage and roots of trees at different distances from the phosphate fertilizer plant. All assessed parameters showed significant discrepancies in comparison with unpolluted sites. Obtained results showed high oxidative stress indices including H2O2, lipid peroxidation, and EL, SOD, CAT and GPx activities and proline contents in leaves and roots at the polluted sites as compared to control. In contrast, leaf Pn, Gs, E and photosynthetic pigment contents were low as compared to the control. These results indicate that even though antioxidant responses increased near the factory, adverse effects on physiology were pronounced.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 991-1001 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Ecotoxicology |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| Early online date | 19 Jun 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2017 |
Bibliographical note
AcknowledgementsThe authors are grateful to Mr. Kamel Maaloul, English professor at the Faculty of Sciences of Sfax for proofreading the manuscript. The authors are equally grateful to Mr. Mohamed Serbeji for the elaboration of the map of the study area.
Keywords
- Fluoride
- Eriobotrya japonica L.
- Biochemical responses
- Physiological responses
- Antioxidant activities
