Abstract

The importance of the physiological role of nutrient elements in plant behavior concerning higher and more
stable yield, using the durum wheat variety P1252 as model plant, was examined under hydroponic conditions.
To investigate the effects of Mg deficiency, the element was eliminated from the media solutions. Results
showed that Mg elimination decreased the chlorophyll content. Lack of Mg only affected guaiacol peroxidase
(GPX) and catalase (CAT) activities significantly. The SOD/APX+GPX+CAT ratio as an index of assessing the
balance between H2O2-producing and H2O2-scavenging enzymes increased leading to the accumulation of H2O2
in cell. The elevation of SOD/APX+GPX+CAT ratio and H2O2 accumulation indicates the occurrence of
oxidative stress in leave cells under Mg deficiency. Lack of magnesium (Mg) resulted in considerable increase
in other oxidative stress indices, cell death and Malondialdehyde (MDA). The reason is the occurrence of
Haber-Weiz reaction in absence of Mg and production of hydroxyl radical, a very dangerous radical, leading to
increasing damage of cell biomolecules and their apoptosis.

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