title: Phytoremediation of heavy metals by Alternanthera bettzickiana: Growth and physiological response.
abstract: The present study was aimed to evaluate the morphological, physiological and biochemical responses of Alternanthera Bettzickiana (Regel) G. Nicholson plant subjected to different levels of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mM) stress. A. bettzickiana was able to accumulate Cd and Pb in different plant parts and total uptake of both metals was higher in shoots than roots. Plant growth, biomass and photosynthetic pigments increased with increasing metal concentrations, up to 1.0 mM, in soil and then decreased with higher metal levels. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) increased under lower metal levels (0.5 and 1.0 mM) while decreased at higher metal levels (2.0 mM). Leaf and root electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents decreased at lower metal levels (≤1.0 mM) while increased at higher levels. The present study clearly signifies the potential of A. bettzickiana plant towards Cd and Pb tolerance and accumulation especially at lower metal levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Gujrat, Hafiz Hayat Campus, Jalapur Jattan Road, Gujrat, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Hafiz Muhammad
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Tauqeer
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Government College University, Allama Iqbal Road, 38000 Faisalabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shafaqat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Government College University, Allama Iqbal Road, 38000 Faisalabad, Pakistan. Electronic address: mrazi1532@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rizwan
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Government College University, Allama Iqbal Road, 38000 Faisalabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Qasim
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Gujrat, Hafiz Hayat Campus, Jalapur Jattan Road, Gujrat, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Rashid
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saeed
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Government College University, Allama Iqbal Road, 38000 Faisalabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Usman
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Iftikhar
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Government College University, Allama Iqbal Road, 38000 Faisalabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Rehan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Gujrat, Hafiz Hayat Campus, Jalapur Jattan Road, Gujrat, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Mujahid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farid
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil Science University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Ghulam Hassan
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Abbasi
mesh_terms: D027703:Amaranthaceae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002104:Cadmium / Q000378:metabolism; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000378:metabolism; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium
keywords: Antioxidants; Heavy metal; Oxidative stress; Phytoremediation; Tolerance