Investigation of al stress induced alterations in bryophyllum daigremontianum (Raym.-hamet & perrier) A.berger by using physiological methods and molecular markers

In this study, effects of aluminum on genotoxicity, photosynthetic pigment composition, total protein content and mineral nutrient status in Bryophyllum daigremontianum plants have been investigated. Plants were watered with Hoagland solution (20 ml) containing 0 (normal), 50, 100 and 200 μM AlCl3 on alternate days for 75 days. As soil pH decreases (4,5–5,0) Al is converted into phytotoxic form Al3+, and solubilized in soil water and absorbed by plant roots. Thus, in addition to experimental groups an acid control group was added to investigate the effects of acid on plants. On the day after watering, experimental groups were sprayed with sulfuric acid (0,2%). After experimental period, plants were harvested and effects of Al treatment on photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b, a/b, total chlorophyll and carotenoids) and total protein contents were analyzed. Al and other mineral nutrient elements (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Mn and Zn) in plant roots, stems and leaves were analyzed by using ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer). The genotoxic analysis was performed by employing RAPD and ISSR methods. The chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were calculated based on Arnon (1949) and total protein contents were according to Bradford (1976). Compared to control groups, acid control, 50, 100 and 200 μM concentrations respectively showed a slight decrease in chlorophyll a (~6,57, ~3,61, ~8,88 and ~8,22%), chlorophyll b (~22,11, ~21,60, ~21,60 and ~1,00%), total chlorophyll (~11,76, ~11,96, ~21,60 and ~11,37) and carotenoid (no change, ~7,03, ~6,25 and ~7,81) contents whereas an increase was observed in chlorophyll a/b (~4,19, ~15,05, ~12,75 and ~12,29) contents. Besides, total protein content was also found to increase depending on the applied Al concentration. In all plant parts, concentrations of Ca, Cu, K, Fe, Mg, Mn and Zn decreased in relation to increasing Al concentrations (50, 100 and 200 µM). From nutrients, Na had the lowest value in roots of control group, the highest value in the acid control group, and showed a decrease toward 200 μM concentration group with increasing Al concentration.Moreover, RAPD and ISSR analyses demonstrated the appearance of new band formations and variations in band intensities. Therefore, this work showed that RAPD and ISSR techniques can be effectively employed in genotoxicity, environmental toxicology and Al toxicity-related studies.