Tolerance of Chrysantemum maximum to heavy metals: the potential for its use in the revegetation of tailings heaps

J Environ Sci (China). 2013 Feb 1;25(2):367-75. doi: 10.1016/s1001-0742(12)60060-6.

Abstract

To find if ornamental plants are applicable to the remediation of metal-polluted areas, the tolerance of chrysanthemum plants (Chysanthemum maximum) var. Shasta to different metals under hydroponic conditions was studied. Their responses as influenced by the mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerdemann & Trappe BEG25 on substrates containing mine residues were also investigated. Our results showed that chrysanthemum is a metal-tolerant plant under hydroponic conditions, plants behaving as Pb-excluders, whereas Cd, Cu and Ni were accumulated in roots. Low accumulation in flowers was observed for Cd and Cu but it was concentration-dependent. Ni and Pb were not translocated to flowers. Shoot biomass was not significantly affected by the different rates of mine residue addition for both mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants. Mycorrhizal plants accumulated less Pb and Cu in both shoots and roots than non-mycorrhizal plants. Chysanthemum could be a prospective plant for revegetation of tailings and the use of inoculation may decrease plant metal accumulation in polluted soils.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chrysanthemum / drug effects*
  • Chrysanthemum / metabolism*
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation
  • Metals, Heavy / metabolism*
  • Metals, Heavy / toxicity*
  • Mycorrhizae
  • Soil Pollutants

Substances

  • Metals, Heavy
  • Soil Pollutants