Ecology of nickel hyperaccumulator plants from ultramafic soils in Sabah (Malaysia)

Ent, Antony van der; Erskine, Peter D.; Sumail, Sukaibin

doi:10.1007/s00049-015-0192-7

Cited by 77 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…bengalensis to inorganic fertilisation has major implications for viable commercial Ni agromining in the tropics. Several tropical Ni hyperaccumulators are among the strongest hyperaccumulator species around the globe (Reeves, 2003;van der Ent et al, 2015bvan der Ent et al, , 2015cvan der Ent et al, , 2016avan der Ent and Mulligan, 2015;Nkrumah et al, 2018c). They can accumulate exceptionally high Ni concentrations in the shoot biomass, making them prime candidates for economic agromining.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growth effects in tropical nickel‐agromining ‘metal crops' in response to nutrient dosing

Nkrumah

Echevarria

Erskine

et al. 2019

J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci.

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Agromining is an emerging technology that utilizes selected ‘metal crops' (= hyperaccumulator plants) to extract valuable target metals from unconventional resources for profit from mineralised soils. Growth characteristics, shoot metal concentrations, and agrominable locations are important considerations in economic agromining. Globally, the greatest potential for nickel (Ni) agromining exists in the tropics. However, the agronomic systems of tropical ‘metal crops' have not been previously tested. Furthermore, it is currently unknown whether nutrient dosing of prospective tropical agromining Ni ‘metal crops’ could possibly cause a shoot Ni‐dilution effect which may ultimately limit economically viable Ni yields. We undertook a pioneering study on Ni uptake and growth responses to nutrient dosing in two promising tropical ‘metal crops' (Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi and Rinorea cf. bengalensis). The experiment consisted of a large randomised block growth trial in large pots over 12 months in Sabah (Malaysia). At 3‐month intervals, the plants were exposed to soluble treatments that altered available concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). We found strong positive growth responses to N and P additions in P. rufuschaneyi, whereas K additions had negative growth effects. In R. cf. bengalensis, all treatments had positive growth effects. The increases in biomass in response to nutrient dosing did not significantly reduce shoot Ni concentrations in both species, with the exception of N addition in P. rufuschaneyi. This study reveals that Ni uptake and growth responses to nutrient dosing are species‐dependent, primarily influenced by the ecophysiology of the species. Inorganic fertilization could possibly be an important component of the management of local ‘metal crops' to be used in viable commercial agromining in the tropics, but this needs to be tested in the field with different formulations of N, P, and K.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growth effects in tropical nickel‐agromining ‘metal crops' in response to nutrient dosing

Nkrumah

Echevarria

Erskine

et al. 2019

J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci.

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“…gracilis (Rubiaceae; Reeves 2003), and Shorea tenuiramulosa (Proctor et al 1989). Van der Ent et al (2013b, 2015f) added several more Ni hyperaccumulators, including Actephila alanbakeri ( Cleistanthus sp. nov. in the original report) (Phyllanthaceae; 11,520 µg g −1 ), Flacourtia kinabaluensis (Salicaceae; 7280 µg g −1 ), Glochidion mindorense (Phyllanthaceae; 2280 µg g −1 ), Kibara coriacea (Monimiaceae; 5840 µg g −1 ), Mischocarpus sundaicus (Sapindaceae) (4425 µg g −1 ), Phyllanthus cf.…”

Section: Physiology and Geneticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…kjellbergii TreeSulawesi, Indonesia1440––––Reeves (2003)Ochnaceae Ochna integerrima TreeIndia2465–5210––––Datta et al (2015)Olacaceae Olax imbricata TreeSri Lanka1082––––Samithri (2015)Oxalidaceae Sarcotheca celebica TreeIndonesia1000––––Van der Ent et al (2013a, b, c)Papilionaceae Cassia sophera ShrubSulawesi, Indonesia–333–––Brooks et al (1978)Phyllanthaceae Actephila alanbakeri ShrubSabah, Malaysia11,520––––Van der Ent et al (2016c)Phyllanthaceae Aporosa chalarocarpa TreeSE Asia1560––––Van der Ent et al (2015f)Phyllanthaceae Baccaurea lanceolata TreeSE Asia1450…”

Section: Physiology and Geneticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultramafic geoecology of South and Southeast Asia

et al. 2017

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Globally, ultramafic outcrops are renowned for hosting floras with high levels of endemism, including plants with specialised adaptations such as nickel or manganese hyperaccumulation. Soils derived from ultramafic regoliths are generally nutrient-deficient, have major cation imbalances, and have concomitant high concentrations of potentially phytotoxic trace elements, especially nickel. The South and Southeast Asian region has the largest surface occurrences of ultramafic regoliths in the world, but the geoecology of these outcrops is still poorly studied despite severe conservation threats. Due to the paucity of systematic plant collections in many areas and the lack of georeferenced herbarium records and databased information, it is not possible to determine the distribution of species, levels of endemism, and the species most threatened. However, site-specific studies provide insights to the ultramafic geoecology of several locations in South and Southeast Asia. The geoecology of tropical ultramafic regions differs substantially from those in temperate regions in that the vegetation at lower elevations is generally tall forest with relatively low levels of endemism. On ultramafic mountaintops, where the combined forces of edaphic and climatic factors intersect, obligate ultramafic species and hyperendemics often occur. Forest clearing, agricultural development, mining, and climate change-related stressors have contributed to rapid and unprecedented loss of ultramafic-associated habitats in the region. The geoecology of the large ultramafic outcrops of Indonesia’s Sulawesi, Obi and Halmahera, and many other smaller outcrops in South and Southeast Asia, remains largely unexplored, and should be prioritised for study and conservation.

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“…Total Ni concentrations in ultramafic surface soils typically range from 0.1 to 0.3 % but is often strongly enriched in the underlying saprolite (0.8-1.5 %), especially under intense leaching under tropical conditions (Estrade et al 2015;Golightly 1979;Proctor and Nagy 1992;Quantin et al 2002). Ultramafic soils that have total Ni concentrations greater than 0.1 % with high phytoavailable Ni pools are potentially suitable for Ni phytomining (van der Ent et al 2015b).…”

Section: Soil Ni Availability For 'Metal Crops'mentioning

confidence: 99%

Current status and challenges in developing nickel phytomining: an agronomic perspective

et al. 2016

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Background Nickel (Ni) phytomining operations cultivate hyperaccumulator plants ('metal crops') on Ni-rich (ultramafic) soils, followed by harvesting and incineration of the biomass to produce a high-grade 'bio-ore' from which Ni metal or pure Ni salts are recovered. Scope This review examines the current status, progress and challenges in the development of Ni phytomining agronomy since the first field trial over two decades ago. To date, the agronomy of less than 10 species has been tested, while most research focussed on Alyssum murale and A. corsicum. Nickel phytomining trials have so far been undertaken in Albania, Canada, France, Italy, New Zealand, Spain and USA using ultramafic or Ni-contaminated soils with 0.05-1 % total Ni. Conclusions N, P and K fertilisation significantly increases the biomass of Ni hyperaccumulator plants, and causes negligible dilution in shoot Ni concentration. Organic matter additions have pronounced positive effects on the biomass of Ni hyperaccumulator plants, but may reduce shoot Ni concentration. Soil pH adjustments, S additions, N fertilisation, and bacterial inoculation generally increase Ni phytoavailability, and consequently, Ni yield in 'metal crops'. Calcium soil amendments are necessary because substantial amounts of Ca are removed through the harvesting of 'bio-ore'. Organic amendments generally improve the physical properties of ultramafic soil, and soil moisture has a pronounced positive effect on Ni yield. Repeated 'metal crop' harvesting depletes soil phytoavailable Ni, but also promotes transfer of non-labile soil Ni to phytoavailable forms. Traditional chemical soil extractants used to estimate phytoavailability of trace e l em en ts a re of limi t ed us e t o p re dic t Ni phytoavailability to 'metal crop' species and hence Ni uptake.

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Ecology of nickel hyperaccumulator plants from ultramafic soils in Sabah (Malaysia)

Cited by 77 publications

References 51 publications

Growth effects in tropical nickel‐agromining ‘metal crops' in response to nutrient dosing

Growth effects in tropical nickel‐agromining ‘metal crops' in response to nutrient dosing

Ultramafic geoecology of South and Southeast Asia

Current status and challenges in developing nickel phytomining: an agronomic perspective

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