Improving the efficacy of phytoextraction is critical for its successful application in metal contaminated soils. Mineral nutrition affects plant growth and metal absorption and subsequently the accumulation of heavy metal through hyper-accumulator plants. This study assessed the effects of di-hydrogen phosphates (KH2PO4, Ca(H2PO4)2, NaH2PO4 and NH4H2PO4) application at three levels (22, 88 and 352 mg P/kg soil) on Sedum alfredii growth and metal uptake by three consecutive harvests on aged and Zn/Cd combined contaminated paddy soil. The addition of phosphates (P) significantly increased the amount of Zn taken up by S. alfredii due to increased shoot Zn concentration and dry matter yield (DMY) (P < 0.05). The highest phytoextraction of Zn and Cd was observed in KH2PO4 and NH4H2PO4 treatment at 352 mg P/kg soil. The amount of Zn removed by phytoextraction increased in the order of 1st clipping < 2nd clipping < 3rd clipping, and for Cd extraction the order was 2nd clipping < 1st clipping < 3rd clipping. These results indicate that the application of P fertilizers coupled with multiple cuttings can enhance the removal of Zn and Cd from contaminated soils by S. alfredii, thus shortening the time needed for accomplishing remediation goals.
Huagang HuangTingqiang LiD.K.GuptaZhenli HeXiao-e YangBingnan NiMao Li
The combined effects of elevated CO_2 and cadmium(Cd) on photosynthetic rate,chlorophyll fluorescence and Cd accumulation in hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii Hance were investigated to predict plant growth under Cd stress with rising atmospheric CO_2 concentration.Both pot and hydroponic experiments were conducted and the plants were grown under ambient(350 μL L^(-1)) or elevated(800 μL L^(-1))CO_2.Elevated CO_2 significantly(P< 0.05) increased Pn(105%-149%),Pn_(max)(38.8%-63.0%) and AQY(20.0%-34.8%) of S.alfredii in all the Cd treatments,but reduced chlorophyll concentration,dark respiration and photorespiration.After 10 days growth in medium with 50μM Cd under elevated CO_2,PSII activities were significantly enhanced(P < 0.05) with Pm,Fv/Fm,Φ(Ⅱ) and qP increased by 66.1%,7.5%,19.5%and 16.4%,respectively,as compared with ambient-grown plants.Total Cd uptake in shoot of S.alfredii grown under elevated CO_2 was increased by 44.1%-48.5%,which was positively correlated with the increase in Pn.These results indicate that elevated CO_2 promoted the growth of 5.alfredii due to increased photosynthetic carbon uptake rate and photosynthetic lightuse efficiency,and showed great potential to improve the phytoextraction of Cd by S.alfredii.
