Effects of Solanum photeinocarpum and its post grafting generations straw on cadmium accumulation of loquat seedlings

Abstract

ABSTRACT Herein, we prepared a pot experiment to explore the potential effects of cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulator Solanum photeinocarpum and its post grafting generations straw on Cd accumulation in loquat seedlings. Two varieties (‘Dawuxing’ and ‘Chuanzao’) of loquat seedlings were planted in Cd-contaminated soil together with the straw of S. photeinocarpum (UG) and its post grafting generations with self-rooted grafting involving one S. photeinocarpum seedling (SG), self-rooted grafting involving two S. photeinocarpum seedling developmental stages (DG), and grafting on wild potato rootstock (PG). With the application of DG and PG straw, biomass of the root, stem, leaf, and shoot of loquat seedlings were slightly higher, whereas UG and SG straw had no apparent effects. DG and PG straw increased the Cd contents in various organs of loquat seedlings and elevated the Cd extractions in various organs of loquat seedlings to some extent while UG and SG had no apparent effects on that. These findings demonstrate that the straw of DG and PG can promote growth and increase the phytoremediation ability of loquat seedlings (not suitable for the resulting loquat tree), with PG as the best choice.