Effects of zinc or copper excess in Populus spp

Zinc and copper are essential micronutrients and heavy metals. Zn functions in cells are related to its ability to form tetrahedral coordination bonds in different vital cellular constituents. Cu is a component of various proteins, and particularly those involved in electron transport chains (plastocyanin and cytochrome oxidase). At high concentrations these two metals become toxic. Populus spp. are potentially sdspted for phytoremediation studies and applications. the two hybrid of poplar I-214 and 717 1-B4 have been subjecte to Zn and Cu excess, respectively.