Copper-induced stress responses and phytoaccumulation capacity of three giant reed (Arundo donax L.) ecotypes

Alshaal, Tarek and Domokos-Szabolcsy, Éva and Garab, Győző and Zsíros, Ottó and Fári, Miklós Gábor and Csajbók, József and Veres, Szilvia and Elhawat, Nevien (2026) Copper-induced stress responses and phytoaccumulation capacity of three giant reed (Arundo donax L.) ecotypes. BIOMASS & BIOENERGY, 205. No. 108511. ISSN 0961-9534

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Abstract

This study investigated the effects of elevated copper levels on the early-stage growth and development of three Arundo donax (giant reed) ecotypes (STM, BL, and ESP) from different climatic zones, focusing on plant morpho-physiological and copper biochemical changes (including root structure, photosynthetic structure, copper accumulation and translocation, soluble protein, and lipid peroxidation). Plants were grown under increasing concentrations of copper (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg), revealing that copper accumulation was predominantly localized in the roots, with ESP showing the highest at 1829 μg/g, followed by STM (1191 μg/g) and BL (935 μg/g) at 400 mg/kg. While morphological traits like plant height and stem diameter were less affected, root volume decreased significantly at high copper levels (e.g., by 60 % in BL from 10.00 cm3 in control to 4.00 cm3 at 400 mg/kg). Physiological responses varied significantly: photosynthetic pigments increased with moderate copper levels (e.g., chlorophyll a in BL from 31.67 μg/cm2 in control to 49.19 μg/cm2 at 400 mg/kg) but declined at higher concentrations in ESP. Lipid peroxidation, measured by malondialdehyde (MDA), indicated increased oxidative stress, especially in STM and ESP (e.g., root MDA in STM from 14.22 nmol/g in control to 26.30 nmol/g at 400 mg/kg). These results highlight the ESP ecotype's higher tolerance and copper sequestration capabilities, making it a promising candidate for further studies in copper-stressed environments.

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