Physiological and morphological changes in Salix viminalis L. as a result of plant exposure to copper.

The aim of this study was to assess the response of Salix viminalis L. under model conditions to different copper concentrations and, as a consequence, potential application of the experimental results in decontamination of water with heavy metal ions (phytoaccumlation). The 14-day experiment was conducted on one-year-old cuttings of Salix viminalis L. 'Cannabina' exposed, in a phytotron, to six different copper levels in hydroponic pots. The results showed that the capacity to accumulate heavy metals was of the following order: roots > rods > shoots > leaves. The linear relationships between the accumulation efficiency of particular Salix parts were confirmed. Together with an increase in copper sorption in above-ground organs, a decrease was observed in root biomass and the length of roots, shoots and leaves. The release of low molecular weight organic acids into solution was different under various Cu levels. Glucose, fructose and sucrose contents in leaves of Salix in all treatments were higher than in control plants. Higher concentration of sugars (4 times higher compared to the control) was detected for fructose in a 2 mM Cu treatment. The total phenolics content rapidly increased only at 3 mM Cu level. Free and total salicylic acid and the glutathione contents in plants treated with copper in relation to the control were always higher and changed with increasing concentration of copper ions in the medium.