The Resistance of Phleum pratense and Elytrigia repens to High Concentrations of Zinc

Abstract

The influence of increased zinc concentrations on seed germination, growth activity, photosynthetic apparatus, and water metabolism in two perennial grasses (Phleum pratense L. and Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski) was studied in laboratory and vegetation experiments to assess plant metal tolerance. In laboratory conditions it was established that seeds of both species may germinate in a wide range of zinc concentrations. In vegetation experiments, the possibility of successful growth and accumulation of biomass of both grasses in the presence of high zinc concentration in the root medium was revealed. At the same time, high water contents in root and shoot tissues were maintained, as well as the necessary intensity of photosynthesis (due to maintenance of the efficiency of photosystem II and the amount of carotenoids). It was noted that the established high resistance of both species of grasses to zinc, as well as their ability to accumulate significant amounts of metal ions in the roots, indicates that P. pratense and E. repens may be used for phytoremediation of soils contaminated with zinc.