Accumulation of Polyphenols and Flavonoids in Tobacco Plant (Nicotiana Tabacum) Grown in Heavy Metal Applied Soil

: In the greenhouse experiment tobacco plants were treated with heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb and Cd) to estimate changes of polyphenols and flavonoids levels. Increasing levels of heavy metals (till to ten fold of soil limit values of metals) were applied experimental soil have increased heavy metal contents of plant. In particular, tobacco plant has absorbed Ni and Cd metals at relatively high levels. Dry matter amounts of plant were not changed by treatments. Tobacco plant grown in soil treated with high levels of heavy metals in the experiment produced a high biomass in the short vegetation period and did not show phytotoxicity even at the highest metal levels. Heavy metals applied to the soil increased the total polyphenols and flavonoid amounts in the tobacco plant. Increase in the polyphenol and flavonoid content of tobaco was more pronounced in the Ni, Pb and Cd metal applications. Research findings showed that tobacco plant is well adapted to heavy metal stress conditions with high phenolic substance production.