Free Radical Oxidation And Proline Content As Indicators Of Urban Tree Vitality (the Case Of Dnipro City Parks, Ukraine)
Abstract
V. P. Bessonova, O. E. Ivanchenko
We studied the accumulation of the malondialdehyde and free proline in the leaves of woody plants which growing in the city parks of Dnipro in zones with different anthropogenic pollution. We registered the significant increase of free radical oxidation in the leaves of all tree species and at all monitored plots. The reactions of free radical oxidation were more intense in zones with heavy pollution and vice versa. The most intensive accumulation of products of free radical oxidation were observed in the assimilative organs of Tilia cordata Mill. and Acer platanoides L. In Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Biota orientalis Endl. the accumulated products were registered in slightly less but still significant amounts. The quantities of proline in trees of the city parks located in different functional areas exceeded the corresponding control values. The highest concentration of amino acid and malonic dialdehyde were registered in the assimilative organs of the trees from urban parks with heavy level of pollution while the lowest concentration of amino acid was registered in the trees of park located far from industrial zones. On average, amino acid content ranges between 122.61 and 585.77% from the control values. The high level of proline accumulation was observed in the leaves of Robinia pseudoacacia L., since this species is the most environment-resistant. The levels of proline accumulation attributable to anthropogenic pollution of the leaves of Tilia cordata Mill. and Robinia pseudoacacia L. were almost identical.
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