Potential hyperaccumulator plants for sustainable environment in tropical habitats

Abstract

Hyperaccumulators are rare ability of plants to accumulate excessive concentration of elements on roots and shoot tissues without any evidence of physiological stress. However, less research has been conducted in different environmental habitats. Hence, this study was conducted in Mount Magdiwata and Peatland Forest of La Paz, Philippines. The objectives of this research were to identify hyperaccumulator plants as well as analyze soil and plant elemental accumulations. Sampling stations were designated in stratified habitats. Collected soil and plant specimens were analyzed in the laboratory and data were interpreted using SPSS software. Cratoxylum sumatranum (Jack ) Blume, Syngramma alismifolia ( C. Presl ) J.Sm., Mitragyna speciosa Korth, Pneumatopteris laevis ( Mett ) Holtta and Pneumatopteris glabra ( Cope ) Holtt were species that shown hyperaccumulation criterion and had significant accumulation capacity in respective habitats. Manganese had accumulation capacity in the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa Korth above the thresholds level for heavy metal concentrations at 22393 mg/kg−1. Soil element Mg has higher accumulation in the leaves at 5257 mg/kg−1and Fe at 4298 mg/kg−1 both major soil elements had shown significant results. The accumulation capability of this identified species were prospective sources of hyperaccumulator plants onwards to phytoremediation technology to cleanse environmental toxicity.