The Role of Plant Growth Regulators in Miscanthus × giganteus Growth on Trace Elements-Contaminated Soils

Abstract

Soil contamination with trace elements (TEs) is a pressing problem limiting the cultivation of agricultural crops; however, the non-food energy crop Miscanthus × giganteus (M×g) can be grown on such soil. The effect of a new plant growth regulator (PGR), Kamethur, and conventional Charkor was studied when M×g was cultivated in TE-contaminated soils from Všebořice and Chomutov, in the Northern Czech Republic. Kamethur was beneficial for achieving a higher leaves and stem biomass (by 57.1 and 126%, respectively) in the more contaminated Všebořice soil, while Charkor increased only the leaves biomass (49.5%). Analysis of the comprehensive bio-concentration index showed that Charkor decreased stem accumulation of elements essential for plant development (EEs), as well as the potentially toxic (PTEs) elements, by 33.3 and 11.4%, respectively. Kamethur decreased stem accumulation of EEs by 11.4% and increased the accumulation of PTEs by 23.3%. Statistical evaluation of the current results and literature data illustrated the ability of Charkor to reduce the uptake of PTEs, which is critical for converting clean biomass to bioproducts. Further research should confirm the influence of PGRs on the bioparameters and phytoremediation processes of M×g at the field plantation level.