Date of Award
2006
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Biology
Supervisor
Dr. Donald Hayden
Second Advisor
Dr. Norman Huner
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal becoming more abundant in the environment as a result of phosphate fertilizers. Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) is tolerant to Cd levels which are considered toxic to other plant species (Ahmed, 2003). Upon exposure to toxic levels of Cd, there is a redistribution of iron (Fe) from the roots of hemp into the leaves (Ahmed, 2003). Hemp plants were exposed to ImM and 10mM Cd and grown at levels ofFe that were determined deficient, normal and excess to hemp plants. Photosynthetic efficiency, metal content and pigment analysis were performed on these plants. Plants showed a higher response to stress when exposed to both Cd and Fe than to each metal individually. These findings suggest that the redistribution of Fe from the roots to the leaves ofhemp is due to an association ofCd with Fe, and not a photoprotective one.
Recommended Citation
Abdawi-Moussa, Mey, "Does Iron Play a Photoprotective Role in Cadmium-Exposed Cannabis sativa L?" (2006). Digitized Theses. 5012.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/5012
