Phytoremediation Capability and Copper Uptake of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Copper Contaminated Soils

Abstract

Copper is a frequently used heavy metal worldwide and known to be an essential micronutrient for most living organisms including plants. However, excessive levels of copper in soil may adversely affect plant growth and survival. The continuing introduction of copper to soil, e.g., through excessive utilization of agrochemicals has raised serious environmental concerns throughout the world. A variety of plants have the capability to eliminate pollutants from soil through different mechanisms; however, limited information is reported on phytoremediation potential of maize (Zea mays L.) and its uptake and the accumulation potential in copper-containing soils. The effects of additions of 0, 50, 100, 200 and 300 mg kg−1 of copper to soil on growth parameters of Z. mays, copper uptake from soil and accumulation in roots and shoots, and phytoremediation potential of Z. mays were investigated in this research. Copper content in soil and plant samples were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The addition of 50 mg kg−1 Cu stimulated Z. mays growth parameters, while higher content of Cu exhibited inhibitory effects of plant growth. Results indicated that roots accumulated significantly higher levels of Cu than shoots in all treatments, suggesting dominancy of phytostabilization mechanism in remediation of Cu-polluted soil by Z. mays. However, translocation of Cu from the roots to the aerial parts enhanced to some extent with copper level in soil. The greatest Cu accumulation capacity of 5210 µg per pot was gained in Z. mays cultivated in soil treated with 200 mg kg−1 copper. Results demonstrated that Z. mays can promisingly remediate low to moderately copper-contaminated soils.

Growth and cadmium and nickel uptake of maize (Zea mays L.) in a cadmium and nickel co‑contaminated soil and phytoremediation efficiency using ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid

“…Zea mays was found to primarily use phytostabilization as a mechanism to remediate Cd and Ni, with BCF values exceeding 1 for most treatments and Translocation Factor (TF) values remaining below 1. 36 This aligns with previous research showing reduced TF values with higher metal concentrations, indicating a decreased ability of plants to translocate metals as soil metal levels increase. Overall, the study suggests that Zea mays can be considered a phytostabilizer plant species for Cd and Ni, with phytostabilization efficiency improving with higher levels of Cd and Ni in the soil.…”

Forage plants in grasslands with different topographies affect yak foraging preferences on the eastern Tibetan plateau

“…This may be due to the high SOM content of soil organic matter for the shady and half shady slopes (Supplementary Table S1). Soil organic matter content will positively promote the absorption of mineral elements by roots, increasing the plant mineral element content (Daryabeigi Zand and Mühling, 2022). Abundant soil carbon and nitrogen sources can promote the dissolution of mineral elements and form soluble complexes for the absorption of forage plants, increasing forage plant content (Jiang et al, 2022a).…”

Oil-Contaminated Soil Remediation with Biodegradation by Autochthonous Microorganisms and Phytoremediation by Maize (Zea mays)

“…Zea mays is tolerant to high concentrations of xenobiotics and has a high rate of pollution accumulation, grows quickly, has large biomass production and is resistant to diseases and pests [ 124 ]. Beneficial results were also obtained during the use of maize in phytoremediation tests of heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons [ 97 , 98 , 99 , 124 , 125 , 126 , 127 , 128 ]. Most researchers conducting research using Zea mays in bioremediation treatments focus only on the phytoremediation process, not taking into account combined techniques, e.g., phytoremediation supported by inoculation [ 98 , 99 ].…”