Sodium nitroprusside elevation of the zinc phytoremediation potential in safflower roots

It was shown that the use of signaling molecules like nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) can elevate phytoremediation potential of some plant species. The aim of the study is to reveal the effect of SNP on the enhancement of the phytoremediation potential and physiological responses of zinc-stressed safflower roots.
Material and The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with five replicates. After 10 days, the level of oxidative markers (e.g., H2O2 and lipid peroxidation) and antioxidant compounds (e.g., glutathione, ascorbate and phytochelatins) of plants were analyzed.
SNP application alleviated Zn-induced growth inhibition of roots probably through induction of some antioxidative compounds.Application of SNP resulted in decrease in oxidative markers and the activity of SOD as compared to the plants treated with Zn only. No relationship was found between SNP supplementation and glutathione and ascorbate levels, while upon application of SNP the level of PCs increased significantly.
The results suggest that the application of SNP render safflower roots more tolerant to zinc toxicity possibly through zinc chelation by the stimulation of phytochelatin production.