Plant chlorophyll morphoses induced by Co(NO3)2. 3. Cysteine action on survival of Vicia faba plants and chlorophyll concentration in leaves

Abstract

Chlorophyll morphoses arise after exposure of Vicia faba L. seeds to Co2+ excess. Chlorophyll concentration is in agreement with the phenotypic expression of morphoses, and normally green plants are really tolerant to Co2+ excess. The protective effect of cysteine (Cys) depends on the orderį of exposure, Co–Cys or Cys–Co, and the ’saving’ effect in the plants most sensitive to Co2+ is suggested on the ground of the comparative Cys effect on plant survival and chlorophyll concentration in leaves. Keywords: Co2+ genotoxicity, cysteine, saving effect, plant morphoses