Biochemical Response of a Leguminous Plant (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to Accumulating of Heavy Metal Subjected to Metal Stress in Soils Culture in Souk-Ahras City (North-East Algeria)

The present study was devoted to examine the biochemical responses of a leguminous plant species, Phaseolus vulgaris L., to oxidative stress induced in heavy metals contaminated soils culture. Herein, plant samples were collected from the stations of Souk-Ahras city (Northeast Algeria) presenting heavy-metals contaminated lands of culture.

The sampling of plants and soils was carried out in June 2017 randomly from separate points (approximately 10 meters) at each site. Soil and plant samples from the study environments were subjected to analysis at the Common Services Unit for Research- Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Cartage -Tunisia-, for the purpose of acquiring the dosage of metallic traces in them, Following that, the measurements enzymatic bioindicators were carried out at the level of the Laboratory of Sciences and Techniques of Water and Environnment at the University Mohamed Cherif Messaadia -Souk Ahras-.

From the analysis of the results obtained adecreasing concentrations of Mn, Zn, Cr, Pb and Cu in the studied soils are showed, a twice much higher concentration of Zn than that of Cu in the different parts of the sampled plants and noteworthy, both Zn and Cu reached the tissues of stems, leaves and even fruits. Moreover, the Phaseolus vulgaris L. collected from different sites of Hanancha of Souk-Ahras city showed marked variations in the antioxidant enzymatic activities of ascorbate peroxidase and catalase, reflecting a strong photosynthetic activity. These observations were, especially noticed in the sampling sites of Ain Guerima and ElFadj Labiadh, known as the high heavy metals contaminated sites due to road traffic and irrigation water pollution.