Effect of Lead on the Chlorophyll and Antioxidant Response in the Leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract

Lead (Pb) is a non-essential heavy metal element for plants. In this study, the effect of 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 g/L Pb on the chlorophyll and antioxidant response was analyzed in the leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana. The results indicate that 0.025 g/L Pb had no significant effect on the fluorescence intensity of chlorophyll. However, 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 g/L Pb decreased the fluorescence intensity of chlorophyll in the leaves of A. thaliana. Additionally, 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 g/L Pb significantly decreased the content of chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b in the leaves of A. thaliana. The activities of Glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), and Catalase (CAT) were also reduced by 0.05, 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 g/L Pb in the leaves of A. thaliana. The effect of Pb on the chlorophyll and antioxidant response was revealed, which will provide a reference for studying the impact of Pb on the plants.