Physiological response and multi-elemental content in lichens growing on agricultural fences: A pilot study comparing no-tillage and organic cropping

Abstract

The objective of this study is to compare the physiological response (content and degradation of photosynthetic pigments, membrane oxidation products and soluble proteins) and multi-element content of Ramalina celastri (lichenized fungi) growing on agricultural fences with no-tillage (associated with transgenic crops and agrochemical application), organic cropping and a non-cultivated area. We found that R. celastri did not differ in its physiological response to agricultural practices, except for the contents of chlorophyll b and phaeophytin a which were high in both cultivated areas. Lichens growing in organic cropping fields have higher arsenic, chromium, uranium and internal transition elements common in the earth’s crust, possibly due to the greater resuspension of the material during soil tillage. Lichens that grow on posts close to no-tillage field had higher bromine contents (present in numerous pesticides). We found evidence that R. celastri behaves as a tolerant species to air pollution in agricultural environments.