Elemental composition and antioxidant enzyme activity of roots and shoots of wheat grown in manganese spiked Montado alentejano soil

Abstract

Soils occupied by the Montado system are acid and susceptible to winter waterlogging, promoting soil Mn bioavailability and its plant toxicity, that impairs crop yields. Plant Mg/Mn ratios >20 and increased plant antioxidant enzyme activity may reduce Mn toxicity. The aims of this work are the evaluation of a) the bioavailability of soil Mg and Mn, b) wheat shoot and root Mg and Mn concentrations and c) the antioxidant enzyme activity of wheat grown in soil spiked with Mn.