Development of grapevine plants under hydroponic copper-enriched solutions induced morpho-histological, biochemical and cytogenetic changes

Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for plants, but when present in excess, it induces toxicity. In this study, cuttings of four wine-producing varieties of Vitis vinifera L. were used: ‘Tinta Barroca’, ‘Tinto Cão’, ‘Malvasia Fina’ and ‘Viosinho’. The grapevine cuttings were distributed by hydroponic solutions enriched with different Cu concentrations (1, 10, 25 and 50 μM) plus control. At the end of the experiment, the root growth was evaluated, and individual roots were collected, fixed, and used for histological sections and chromosome spreads preparation. The higher Cu concentrations induced toxicity and inhibited root growth. However, the grapevine varieties responded with the thickening of the root exodermis and endodermis. In the chromosome spreads, normal and abnormal interphase and mitotic cells were observed in all varieties and treatments. The increase of Cu concentration decreased the nucleolar activity, as seen by reducing the nucleolar number and area. It increased the frequency of interphase cells with anomalies (ICA), but it did not influence total soluble protein concentration. The augment of Cu concentration also decreased the mitotic index (MI) and increased the percentage of dividing cells with anomalies (DCA). Different types of chromosomal anomalies in all mitotic phases, treatments and varieties were found. Overall, the white wine varieties, ‘Malvasia Fina’ and ‘Viosinho’, appeared to be more tolerant to the Cu-induced stress because they showed higher root growth and mean MI and lower mean DCA than the red wine varieties. •Cu inhibited root growth and induced thickening of the exodermis and endodermis.•Cu toxicity decreased the nucleolar activity.•Cu treatment increased the frequency of interphase/dividing cells with anomalies.•Cu toxicity increased root vacuolization.•White wine grapevine varieties appear more tolerant to Cu-induced stress.