Investigation of Copper effect on some physiological and biochemical characteristics of Salvia sclarea L.

At the moment, accumulation of heavy metals in water and soil is considered as an important factors of environmental pollution. Copper accumulation in the environment, resulting of application of fertilizers, fungicides and industrial and urban activities, leads to toxicity and adverse effects of this heavy metal on many biological processes of plants. Phytoremediation, is an effective and affordable way for extraction, stabilization and detoxification of heavy metals such as Copper. Therefore, in this study, effects of different levels of CuSO4 (0, 5, 25, 50 and 75 µM) on S. sclarea growth and physiological and biochemical aspects of seedlings were considered, in hydroponic culture, in a completely randomized design. The effect of copper sulfate levels higher than 5 µM, were incremental and significant on leaves carotenoids and anthocyanins content, while were not significant on total chlorophyll content. These levels of CuSO4 decreased the most of plant growth characteristics including fresh and dry weight of plant organs, stem and root length, leaf area, soluble carbohydrates, protein content and peroxidase activity of S. sclarea, while, 5 µM CuSo4 concentration, increased all those of them. The results showed that, shoot copper concentrations increased linearly and significantly, with increasing levels of Copper sulfate in nutrient solotion, while root Copper concentrations increased, with lower ratio. In overall, it seems that S. sclarea has relatively resistance to low level and is sensitive to intermediate and high levels of Copper stress. So, it is not recommended as suitable plant species for Copper phytoremediation.