Effects of high concentration of chromium stress on physiological and biochemical characters and accumulation of chromium in tea plant (Camellia sinensis

Abstract

We studied the effects of high concentration of chromium (Cr) stress on physiological and biochemical characters and accumulation of Cr in Pingyang Tezao tea [Camellia sinensis (L) O. Kutze 'Pingyangtezao'] through a pot experiment. The results show that the indicators of photosynthesis were all suppressed with increasing Cr stress, and antioxidation and protection systems were destroyed. We also discovered that the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) decreased, while the content of proline (Pro) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and relative conductivities increased. The accumulating Cr in all organs had a positive correlation with Cr concentration. Deposition of Cr in organs was in the following order: stubble > root > leave > stem > branch ≈ new stem (a bud and two leaves). We conclude that high concentration of Cr stress had strong inhibition and damage to the normal metabolism and cell implement structure, as well as on the function of tea plant.

Key words: Tea plant, chromium, physiological and biochemical characters, accumulation.