The response of Crotalaria juncea seedlings to nickel (Ni) was investigated. Ni was shown to accumulate mainly in the root system, with little being translocated to the shoots. Catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR) responses to Ni were also analyzed. CAT activity did not exhibit a clear trend in response to Ni exposure, whereas GR activity appeared to respond to the stress induced by Ni. The results suggest that in C. juncea GR participates in the detoxification of Ni-induced reactive oxygen species via the glutathione-ascorbate cycle.
antioxidant enzymes; heavy metals; nickel; reactive oxygen species
