Abstract
The influence of essential (Cu, Ni and Zn) and non-essential heavy metals (Hg, Cr, Pb and Cd) on seed germination and early seedling growth in industrial oil crop Crambe abyssinica was evaluated under laboratory conditions. Our results indicated that among the 7 heavy metals tested only Cu and Hg significantly (P < 0.01) decreased Crambe seed germination in a dose-dependent manner at higher concentrations while certain Cr concentrations significantly increased the seed germination (P < 0.05). All the 7 heavy metals decreased significantly relative root length, shoot length and fresh seedling weight in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01). The heavy metals except Ni decreased relative root length first, then shoot length or fresh seedling weight, and finally seed germination. Ni seemed to influence the relative fresh seedling weight first, then shoot length, root length and finally seed germination at lower concentrations, but the decrease in relative root length became faster when the Ni concentrations were increased. Our results indicated that Crambe is tolerant or moderately tolerant to the heavy metals tested except Ni and can be improved for phytoremediation of soils contaminated by heavy metals.
Highlights
Heavy metals such as Cu, Zn and Ni are essential micronutrients for plants, but are toxic at high concentrations
Some famous hyperaccumulators have been deeply researched such as Cd/Zn hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens [9] [10], Sedum alfredii [11] [12], As hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata [13] [14], Cd hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum [15], Arabidopsis halleri [16], Athyrium yokoscense and a number of ferns belonging to the genus Pteris [17]
The present study was made to determine the influence of essential (Cu, Ni and Zn) and non-essential metal ions (Pb, Cd, Cr and Hg) on Crambe seed germination, early seedling growth and the potential of using Crambe for phytoremediation of soils contaminated by heavy metals
Summary
Heavy metals such as Cu, Zn and Ni are essential micronutrients for plants, but are toxic at high concentrations. Some famous hyperaccumulators have been deeply researched such as Cd/Zn hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens [9] [10], Sedum alfredii [11] [12], As hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata [13] [14], Cd hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum [15], Arabidopsis halleri [16], Athyrium yokoscense and a number of ferns belonging to the genus Pteris [17] These hyperaccumulators are of very little economic value, making it difficult for them to be used in phytoremediation. The present study was made to determine the influence of essential (Cu, Ni and Zn) and non-essential metal ions (Pb, Cd, Cr and Hg) on Crambe seed germination, early seedling growth and the potential of using Crambe for phytoremediation of soils contaminated by heavy metals
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