Cd and Cu accumulation, translocation and tolerance in Populus alba clone (Villafranca) in autotrophic in vitro screening

Abstract

The present study investigated accumulation, translocation and tolerance of autotrophic Populus alba clone "Villafranca" in response to excess concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) provided to the plants. For this purpose, increasing concentrations of Cd (0, 5, 50 and 250 μM) and Cu (0, 5, 50, 250 and 500 μM) were administered to the growth medium in which micropropagated poplar plantlets were exposed to metal treatments for 15 days. Filter bags, instead of the conventional in vitro screening, were applied to improve the experimental design. Results showed that Cd and Cu increased in shoots and roots at increasing metal concentration in the medium. The highest Cd content was found in leaves, while the highest Cu content was found in roots. In "Villafranca", Cu showed toxic effects on the development of the seedlings, especially at the highest concentrations, reducing plant dry mass. However, the tolerance index (Ti) indicated good tolerance in this clone under exposure to excess metal concentrations, whereas plants had higher translocation factor (Tf). We recommend in vitro selection of tolerant genotypes, aimed at providing early indication on accumulation potentiality and tolerance capability in research on plant sensitivity to excess heavy metal concentrations.

Effect of Different Copper Levels on Growth and Morpho-Physiological Parameters in Giant Reed (Arundo donax L.) in Semi-Hydroponic Mesocosm Experiment

“…Iron is known as an antagonist of Cu during the uptake [46]. Instead, Zn has a similar ion strength of Cu and it competes for the metal transporter molecules [45,46]. The outcome of the present work confirmed such behavior from 14th to 28th day, while in the first week Fe and Zn accumulated in the leaves.…”

“…An excessive Cu uptake caused a decrease of Fe and Zn content in plant tissues of Arundo [29], rapeseed and Indian mustard [45] in a short-medium period. In poplar [46] the supply of Cu decreased the Zn content and increased the Fe concentration. In this context, one of the most common responses in plants exposed to Cu excess is the hindrance of Fe and Zn uptake.…”

“…As observed by Ambrosini et al and Azez et al [10,45], the presence of an increasing amount of Cu in the soil may reduce the Fe and Zn availability. An excessive Cu uptake caused a decrease of Fe and Zn content in plant tissues of Arundo [28], rapeseed and Indian mustard [46] in a short-medium period. In poplar [47] the supply of Cu decreased the Zn content and increased the Fe concentration.…”

“…In this context, one of the most common responses in plants exposed to Cu excess is the hindrance of Fe and Zn uptake. Iron is known as an antagonist of Cu during the uptake [46]. Instead, Zn has a similar ion strength of Cu and it competes for the metal transporter molecules [45,46].…”

The Effects of Different Lead Pollution Levels on Soil Microbial Quantities and Metabolic Function with/without Salix integra Thunb. Planting

“…However, the application of hyperaccumulators for phytoremediation is often limited by their slow growth rate and low biomass yield [7][8][9]. Trees, especially fast-growing woody species, such as Populus [10] and Robinia pseudoacacia L. [11], with their large biomass and deeper, more integrated root systems, have provided a unique means for the deep phytoremediation of soil [12,13].…”