Influence of cadmium on soluble carbohydrates, free amino acids, protein content of in vitro cultured Lupinus albus

The objective of this study was to evaluate the consequences of Cd stress on soluble carbohydrates, free amino acids, proteins, CO2 fixation, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 and water potential of white lupin (Lupinus albus L. cv. lublanc) in vitro cultures. Plants were grown for 15 days in axenic condition in medium containing variable CdNO3 concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 mu M Cd). Cd treatment did not cause significant dry weight differences between Cd-treated and control plants except above 0.1 mu M Cd. At lower Cd concentrations, total soluble carbohydrate and total free amino acid of Cd-treated plants increased, but decreased above 0.1 mu M Cd. In contrast raffinose, mannose and hydroxyproline levels increased with Cd concentration. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.