Chapters authored
Copper Toxicity in Plants: Nutritional, Physiological, and Biochemical Aspects
Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for plants because it participates in several redox reactions and the structural constitution of the Fe–Cu cluster. Although it is required in small concentrations at toxic levels, Cu triggers physiological and biochemical disorders that reduce plant growth. In higher plants, the normal range of Cu concentration is in the range of 2–20 mg Cu kg−1 DW. Above the upper limit of this range, Cu toxicity may occur if the plants are not tolerant to the stress caused by toxic levels of Cu. In view of the growing agricultural and industrial activity that are the main sources of Cu addition in nature, understanding the physiological and biochemical mechanisms of Cu toxicity in plants constitutes an important tool for the selection of more tolerant genotypes based on biochemical and physiological indicators to heavy metal stresses. In this chapter, we propose a systematic review of plants grown under toxic levels of Cu, based on the responses of physiological, biochemical, and nutritional variables. Understanding these responses will contribute to improving the understanding of the basic mechanisms of stress tolerance by toxic levels of Cu in higher plants, providing valuable information for the improvement of genotypes resistant to toxic levels of Cu in the plant culture medium.
Part of the book: Advances in Plant Defense Mechanisms