Holovach O. Accumulation and distribution of heavy metal ions in maize organs

The dissertation is devoted to the study of peculiarity in the accumulation of lead and cadmium ions by maize organs and the investigation of reactions of maize plants to the presence of heavy metals in substrate. It was shown that, under influence of lead ions, the changes in callose accumulation in epidermal cell walls, content of photosynthetic pigments and carbonic anhydrase activity. The peculiaritied reaction of maize plants to heavy metals, when seeds were germinated on substrate without lead and on substrate with lead additions (10-5 - 10-3 М) were studied. It was shown that heavy metals tolerance of maize related to the functioning of violoxantin cycle and carotene synthesis. Under an influence of lead ions carbonic anhydrase activity and photosynthetic pigments synthesis was inhibited. An increase in the accumulation of callose formation in cell walls of maize under influence of heavy metal ions was found. Regularity of accumulation and distribution of heavy metals in maize organs shown in laboratory and field experiments permits to introduce maize for phytoremediation of contaminated environment.