Change in β-glucosidase activity in root zone of ferns under toxic elements soil contamination

The influence of toxic elements, such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), in the root zone of As-hyperaccumulator Pteris cretica 'Albo-lineata' and non-As-hyperaccumulator P. straminea, on the enzymatic activity of β-glucosidase, dissolved organic carbon (C) in soil, toxic element accumulation in fern roots, and root biomass were evaluated in a pot experiment. Ferns were cultivated in soils from the locality of Suchdol (control) and Litavka (high contamination) for six months. For all toxic elements, an increasing trend in their contents in the roots was observed with soil contamination for both ferns. Differences between ferns were observed in As and Zn accumulation. Pteris cretica had a significantly higher As accumulation than P. straminea. Zinc accumulation in the roots showed an opposite trend. A significant difference between ferns was confirmed in the dissolved organic C content. Our results showed a significantly higher content of dissolved organic C in the P. straminea root zone than in P. cretica. The significant effect of toxic elements in the soil on β-glucosidase activity was observed. Toxic elements inhibited β-glucosidase activity in the root zone of P. cretica, and an increase in P. straminea was determined in the Litavka soil. The results suggest a higher sensitivity of P. straminea to toxic element contamination in soil, leading to increased β-glucosidase activity and increased dissolved organic C content.