Response to cadmium and phytostabilization potential of Platycladus orientalis in contaminated soil

Abstract

The tolerance characteristics and phytostabilization potential of Platycladus orientalis grown in soil contaminated by cadmium (Cd) were studied using a greenhouse experiment. The results showed that the ornamental plant P. orientalis had high tolerance for Cd in contaminated soil at 24.6 mg·kg⁻¹ and its physiological activities were slightly affected after 203 days (d) of cultivation. Moreover, Cd in soil at 9.6 mg·kg⁻¹ was beneficial for P. orientalis growth, and the total biomass after 203 d cultivation was significantly (p < 0.05) increased by 35.03%, while the contents of chlorophyl a, chlorophyl b and carotenoid in leaves also increased by 20.84%, 44.06% and 28.25% compared to the control, respectively. Meanwhile, the Cd content in the tissues of P. orientalis was increased with both plant growth and the Cd content in the soil. The uptake of Cd in P. orientalis roots was greater than in shoots, with the Cd content in roots reaching 41.45 mg·kg⁻¹. P. orientalis, an ornamental plant, that accumulates Cd predominantly in its roots, can be suggested as a promising plant for phytostabilization in Cd-contaminated soil.

Keywords:

• Platycladus orientalis
• Cd-contaminated soil
• phytostabilization
• ornamental plant
• tolerance

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41271330).