Anatomical and histochemical features of the arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata (Pteridaceae)

ABSTRACT

The perennial fern Pteris vittata (Pteridaceae) is an arsenic hyperaccumulator and a phytoremediator of contaminated soils. In this study, we investigated the anatomical and histochemical features, as well as the permeability of the P. vittata roots, in order to identify the characters that allow this species to thrive in xeromorphic rocky environments and to hyperaccumulate ions. The primary structures of the P. vittata sporophyte include a suberized endodermis, lignified sclerenchyma layers, bifacial mesophyll, and a thick cuticle, all of which reflected an adaption to xeromorphic rocky environments. The pectin-rich surfaces of the rhizodermis and the root hairs were underlain by a lignified cortex, and permeability tests using a berberine tracer showed that these structures retained large volumes of berberine, consistent with ion hyperaccumulation. Thus, the anatomical and histochemical features of P. vittata identified in this study were consistent with adaptations to xeromorphic environments and the ability to hyperaccumulate ions.

KEYWORDS:

• Aerial adventitious roots
• endodermis
• pectin
• permeability
• sclerenchyma layer

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

All authors contributed to this study design, conception and data collection. Cunyu Zhou characterized the morphological, anatomical and histochemical alternations and wrote the manuscript. Xia Zhang, Linbao Li, Jinhua Wu, Xin He, Hai Zheng, Mengdi Zhang, Teng Li and Di Wu assisted stain solution preparation. Guiyun Huang and Chaodong Yang prepared cross sections and analyzed the root anatomical structures and histochemical components. Cunyu Zhou supervised the experiments and revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Engineering Research Center of Ecology and Agriculture Use of Wetland, Ministry of Education opening fund, Yangtze University [KFT202004].