The role of the cell wall in the mechanism of lead and zinc tolerance in Anthoxanthum odoratum L

The respiration rate and viability of cultured cells and protoplasts isolated from two clones of Anthoxanthum odoratum tolerant to both zinc and lead were unaffected by the presence of zinc. Although intact cells were largely unaffected by the presence of lead, protoplasts isolated from cultured cells were susceptible, showing a reduced respiration rate and a high mortality. In contrast cultured cells and protoplasts of non-tolerant clones of A. odoratum were susceptible to both zinc and lead. The results provide direct evidence that in A. odoratum the cell wall is part of the mechanism of tolerance to lead, but not to zinc.