Growth of Brachiaria decumbens in Latosol contaminated with copper

Ilmo Correia Silva,Cleonice Rocha,Mariella Camargo Rocha,Cleiton Mateus Sousa

doi:10.1590/1413-70542018422030317

Ilmo Correia Silva, Cleonice Rocha + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-70542018422030317

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Brachiaria decumbens presents high rusticity, rapid growth, as well as easy implantation and management. The aim of the study is to evaluate the growth of brachiaria in soil contaminated with copper. An experiment following a 3 x 4 factorial design was carried. It comprised three plant ages (30, 45 and 60 days after transplanting) and four copper concentrations (0, 20, 40 and 80 mg of Cu per kg of soil). Plant age and copper concentrations have influenced the main pseudostem length, the number of leaves, as well as the leaf area, chlorophyll (SPAD), fresh and dry shoot matter, root system volume, and fresh and dry root system matter of plants. The lowest dry shoot matter accumulation was found at the concentration 51.24 mg Kg-1. The herein investigated copper concentrations have influenced the growth of Brachiaria decumbens. The lowest growth variable values were between 45.52 and 57.63 mg.Kg-1. Thus, brachiaria has shown potential to be used in Copper phytoremediation at concentrations below 45.52 mg Kg-1.

Highlights

Copper is one of the oldest known metals and the twenty-fifth most abundant element in the earth’s crust
Brachiaria has shown potential to be used in Copper phytoremediation at concentrations below 45.52 mg Kg-1
The copper concentrations and the plant age have influenced the number of leaves, leaf area, pseudostem length, root system volume, chlorophyll (SPAD), fresh and dry shoot matter, and fresh and dry root system matter

Summary

Introduction

Copper is one of the oldest known metals and the twenty-fifth most abundant element in the earth’s crust. Agricultural and industrial activities may increase the amount of copper in the soil, fact that may change the microorganism population, the biological activity (Li et al, 2016), and the soil productive capacity. When it comes to plants, Cu is associated with the transport of electrons between membranes during the photosynthetic process; it is found complexed with proteins and, when it is available in its free form, it produces free radicals with high oxidation capacity, damages cell membranes (Williams, 2015) and inhibits electron transport and primary metabolism. Plants range from highly sensitive to tolerant to heavy metal accumulation (Ovečka; Takáč, 2014)

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