Effects of silicon on the distribution of cadmium compartmentation in root tips of Kandelia obovata (S., L.) Yong

The Effects of silicon (Si) on the distribution of cadmium (Cd) compartmentation in root tips of Kandelia obovata (S., L) Yong were investigated by pot experiments. Cd concentrations in the apoplastic saps and symplastic fractions of the root tips of K. obovata seedlings were decreased at both Si-supplied treatments. Si addition reduced the concentrations of BaCl(2-)extractable cell-wall-Cd in root tips, but increased the concentrations of Na(3)citrate-extractable cell-wall-Cd and HCI-extractable cell-wall-Cd in root tips. The total root-tip contents of Cd were mainly distributed in the apoplast and most of the Cd in the apoplast was bound to the cell wall. Our experiment found that Si increased the ratio of apoplast Cd (>87.08%) and reduced the ratio of Cd in the symplast (<12.92%). This suggested that Si enhanced binding of Cd to the cell walls and restricted the apoplastic transport of Cd. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.