Journal
PLANT SCIENCE
Volume 212, Issue -, Pages 15-25Publisher
ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2013.07.012
Keywords
Acclimation; Antioxidant; Defense; Hormesis; Metal ion; Toxicity
Categories
Funding
- Spanish MICINN [BFU2010-14873]
- Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The concept of hormesis in plants is critically reviewed, taking growth stimulation by low concentrations of toxic trace elements as a reference. The importance of both non-adaptive and adaptive mechanisms underlying ion-induced hormetic growth responses is highlighted. The activation of defense mechanisms by metal ions and pathogenic elicitors and the cross talk between the signals induced by metal ions and biotic stressors are considered. The production of reactive oxygen species and, consequently, the induction of stress-induced antioxidants, are key mechanisms in metal ion-induced hormesis in plants. It is concluded that in the current scientific literature, hormesis is used as an umbrella term that includes a wide range of different mechanisms. It is recommended that the term hormesis be used in plant toxicology as a descriptive term for the stimulated phase in growth response curves that is induced by low concentrations of toxic metal ions without evidence of the underlying mechanisms. If the mechanisms underlying the stimulated growth phase have been identified, specific terms, such as amelioration, defense gene activation, priming or acclimation, should be used. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available