Artificial mycorrhization does not influence the effects of iron availability on Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd accumulation in leaves of a heavy metal tolerant white poplar clone

Abstract

In this study, the phytoextraction capacity of a heavy metal tolerant white poplar clone, grown in the presence of high iron availability and/or mycorrhizas was evaluated. A large amount of iron in available form was determined in initial high concentrations in leaf, which declined along time and affected Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn accumulation. Natural and artificial mycorrhization did not influence these dynamics.

Keywords:

• Glomus mosseae
• heavy metals
• phytoremediation
• Populus alba
• soil iron availability

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by funds from the Italian Ministry for Education, University and Research (PRIN 2005_2005055337), the Italian Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea Protection (“Research and development in biotechnology applied to the protection of the environment” in collaboration with the Popular Republic of China), and the University of Salerno (Fondo d'Ateneo per la Ricerca di Base, FARB 2006-07, project ORSA065479).