Effect of cadmium on young plants of Virola surinamensis

Abstract

Identification of native Amazonian tree species with potential for phytoextraction and tolerance to cadmium (Cd) can be used to direct studies and phytoremediation programs for preservation of natural areas and restoration of environments contaminated by heavy metals. The study evaluated the physiological responses and the phytoextraction and tolerance capacity of young plants of Virola surinamensis to Cd. We founded that Virola surinamensis showed medium and high tolerance to Cd and low efficacy in Cd phytoextraction and suggest that Virola surinamensis may be promising for the phytostabilization of Cd.

Metabolism biochemical of young plants of Ucuúba (Virola surinamensis) in the presence of cadmium

“…In addition, the sugar transported to the roots because of starch degradation would be an essential energy substrate for the resumption of respiration, conferring a mechanism of tolerance of the plant against the phytotoxic effect of Cd (Rahoui et al 2015). Studies conducted by Andrade Júnior et al (2019) indicated that V. surinamensis presented medium and high tolerance to Cd. Similar results in the reducing sugar concentration have been found in other species (Shah et al 2017).…”

“…It has been postulated that higher plants are more sensitive to Cd stress (Xie et al 2014). However, study conducted by Andrade Júnior et al (2019) demonstrated medium and high tolerance of Virola surinamensis to Cd. Variations in Cd tolerance in plants may be associated with changes in nitrogen and or carbon metabolism.…”

“…surinamensis (Ucuúba) a forest species with economic and medicinal interest, besides being useful for recomposition of altered areas. Is a species widely distributed and adapted to the lowland and igapó ecosystems in the Amazon (Andrade Júnior et al 2019). These ecosystems are constantly susceptible to heavy metal contamination (Khan et al 2017), indicating that the plant has strategies to tolerate environments contaminated by heavy metals.…”

“…Recent study showed that, in addition to tolerance to Cd, V. surinamensis had a greater ability to extract and accumulate metal in the root, restricting its transport to the aerial part (Andrade Júnior et al 2019).…”

Phytoremediation of Cadmium: Physiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Mechanisms

“…An excluder transforms the metals and metalloids into a less toxic mobile form without extracting them from the soil and accumulates these compounds in roots by absorption or precipitation within the rhizosphere [ 84 ]. Recently, promising results of Virola surinamensis for Cd phytostabilization have been documented [ 85 ]. Likewise, Miscanthus x giganteus [ 86 ], and oats and white mustard [ 87 ] also have phytostabilization potential for Cd.…”