Thiol and heavy metal content in the xylem sap of Brassica napus.
(a) The cysteine content in xylem sap increased after 2 weeks of Cd exposure but
(b) glutathione (GSH) was the most abundant thiol at all times measured.
(c) Cadmium was present in the xylem in significant amounts after 1 day of Cd treatment, decreasing to a concentration of 4 µm after 2 weeks of Cd exposure.
(d) Iron content in the xylem sap significantly decreased after 1 day of cadmium exposure. Asterisks denote statistically significant differences from untreated plants. Values shown are n = 3–4 experiments; two to three samples were measured per experiment.