Differential response of buckwheat growth, physiology, and elements distribution to copper and zinc toxicity in hydroponics /
2025
Ullah, Sana, | Vogel-Mikus, Katarina, | Naeem, Asif, | Ahmad, Iftikhar, | Barčauskaitė, Karolina,
Wastewater can be used in hydroponic systems to grow crop plants, offering a sustainable solution to water scarcity and nutrient recycling. However, contaminants like Cu and Zn can affect crop yield. This study aimed to assess the effects of Cu- and Zn-induced toxicity on growth, physiology, photosynthesis, biochemical characteristics, element concentrations, and leaf distribution patterns in buckwheat. The experiment consisted of nine treatments (0, Cu5, Cu10, Zn50, Zn100, Cu5Zn50, Cu5Zn100, Cu10Zn50 and Cu10Zn100 mg L−1) with four replications in a completely randomized design. The obtained data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's HSD tests. A two-way clustering based on Euclidian distance was performed to understand the relationships between the measured parameters better. The results showed that Cu and Zn at higher and combined levels notably decreased fresh and dry weight, nitrogen balance index, chlorophylls, photosystem II (PSII) efficiency, and PSII quantum yield compared to the control. Conversely, the anthocyanin and flavonoids contents were increased compared to the control. Shoot Cu and Zn concentrations and uptake were dose-dependent; however, Cu and Zn interactions at higher levels were antagonistic. Micro-XRF element distribution analysis of leaves showed that Cu and/or Zn treatment affected element partitioning between mesophyll and vascular tissue. Mesophyll to vein metal concentration ratios (MeVeR) showed that at higher Cu levels (Cu10), more Cu was transported into the mesophyll, making Cu more toxic due to interference with photosynthesis, while at high Zn levels (Zn100), Zn was more efficiently sequestered in veins.
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