Effects of Copper on the Composition and Anatomy of Tobacco1

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Abstract
Effects of different concentrations of copper in nutrient solutions (0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.16, 0.32, and 0.64 ppm) on the composition and anatomy of tobacco plants were studied. Plants grown with 0.32 and 0.64 ppm Cu showed external chlorotic symptoms and internal toxic effects about 8–10 days after the start of the treatments, while plants grown on Cu concentrations of up to 0.16 ppm displayed no toxic malformations. Increasing concentrations of Cu .in the nutrient solutions were associated with the accumulation of Cu in the roots but not in the aerial portion of the plant. Dry weights of tops and roots were highest at the 0.04‐ and 0.08‐ppm Cu and lowest at the 0.32‐ and 0.64‐ppm treatments. Toxic Cu concentrations were associated with abnormal cellular growth and development throughout the plant. Primary roots developed short, thick, closely‐spaced lateral roots. Hypertrophy of the internal and external phloem resulted in crushed cells with a subsequent necrosis in the phloem. Cells in the xylem tissue were occluded or collapsed with irregularly shaped walls. Palisade and spongy parenchyraa cells of the leaves were deranged with very few chloroplasts. Cellular disintegration also occurred in this region.

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