title: Tolerance and hyperaccumulation of cadmium by a wild, unpalatable herb Coronopus didymus (L.) Sm. (Brassicaceae).
abstract: The potential of a wild, unpalatable plant Coronopus didymus was investigated for the first time in terms of its capability to tolerate and accumulate cadmium (Cd) for phytoremediation purposes. A screenhouse experiment for 6 weeks was conducted to evaluate the effect of Cd from 100 to 400mgkg-1on growth, biomass, photosynthetic apparatus, Cd uptake and accumulation in C. didymus plants. Application of Cd facilitates the growth of the plants whereas at higher levels a slight reduction was noticed. The concentration of Cd in roots and shoots reached a maximum of 867.2 and 864.5mgkg-1DW respectively, at 400mgkg-1Cd treatment. Cd exposure increased the generation of superoxide anion (O2•-), H2O2content, MDA level and antioxidative response (SOD, CAT and POD) in roots and shoots of C. didymus. However, a slight decline in SOD and CAT activities were noticed in roots at highest Cd treatment (400mgkg-1). The bioconcentration (BCF) values for all the concentrations were ˃1 and the translocation factor (TF) values were ˂ 1 at lower level but reached 1 at highest Cd concentration. Thus, C. didymus satisfies the conditions required for hyperaccumulator plants and may be practically employed to alleviate Cd from contaminated soils.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India. Electronic address: gagan1986sidhu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gagan Preet Singh
authors.initials: GPS
authors.lastname: Sidhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
authors.forename: Harminder Pal
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
authors.forename: Daizy R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Batish
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India; Central University of Punjab, Mansa Road, Bathinda 151001, India.
authors.forename: Ravinder Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Kohli
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D019607:Brassicaceae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D002104:Cadmium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000378:metabolism*; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000378:metabolism*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium; D013481:Superoxides; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D002374:Catalase; D009195:Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase
keywords: Bioconcentration factor; Cadmium; Coronopus didymus; Hyperaccumulator; Translocation factor