Abstract
A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of calcium silicate (CS) on the subcellular distribution and chemical forms of cadmium (Cd) in grain amaranths (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. Cv. ‘K112’) grown in a Cd contaminated soil. Results showed that the dry weight and the photosynthetic pigments contents in grain amaranths increased significantly with the increasing doses of CS treatments, with the highest value found for the treatment of CS3 (1.65 g/kg). Compared with the control, application of CS4 (3.31 g/kg) significantly reduced Cd concentrations in the roots, stems and leaves of grain amaranths by 68%, 87% and 89%, respectively. At subcellular level, CS treatment resulted in redistribution of Cd, higher percentages of Cd in the chloroplast and soluble fractions in leaves of grain amaranths were found, while lower proportions of Cd were located at the cell wall of the leaves. The application of CS enhanced the proportions of pectate and protein integrated forms of Cd and decreased the percentages of water soluble Cd potentially associated with toxicity in grain amaranths. Changes of free Cd ions into inactive forms sequestered in subcellular compartments may indicate an important mechanism of CS for alleviating Cd toxicity and accumulation in plants.
Highlights
A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of calcium silicate (CS) on the subcellular distribution and chemical forms of cadmium (Cd) in grain amaranths
We found calcium silicate (CS) is one of the promising potential candidate amendments for reducing heavy metal accumulation, providing an alternative immobilization remediation technique for soils polluted by heavy metals
The growth of grain amaranths in a Cd contaminated soil was significantly enhanced with the increasing doses of CS treatment
Summary
A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of calcium silicate (CS) on the subcellular distribution and chemical forms of cadmium (Cd) in grain amaranths CS treatment resulted in redistribution of Cd, higher percentages of Cd in the chloroplast and soluble fractions in leaves of grain amaranths were found, while lower proportions of Cd were located at the cell wall of the leaves. We have noticed that the application of CS can lead to a redistribution of Cd to less mobile forms and reduce Cd uptake by plants due to its effect on soil pH regulation[10]. Changes in subcellular distribution and chemical forms of heavy metals were proven to be closely linked to metal accumulation and tolerance in plants[16,17]. It has been documented that inorganic and water-soluble organic Cd, which can be extracted by 80% ethanol and deionized water respectively, has greater likelihood of migration than the other extracted forms and metals binding to pectates, phosphates, oxalates and residuals are less toxic to plants[16,20]
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