title: The evaluation of growth and phytoextraction potential of Miscanthus x giganteus and Sida hermaphrodita on soil contaminated simultaneously with Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn.
abstract: One of the cheapest, environmentally friendly methods for cleaning an environment polluted by heavy metals is phytoextraction. It builds on the uptake of pollutants from the soil by the plants, which are able to grow under conditions of high concentrations of toxic metals. The aim of this work was to assess the possibility of growing and phytoextraction potential of Miscanthus x giganteus and Sida hermaphrodita cultivated on two different soils contaminated with five heavy metals simultaneously: Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. A 3-year microplot experiment with two perennial energy crops, M. x giganteus and S. hermaphrodita, was conducted in the experimental station of IUNG-PIB in Poland (5° 25' N, 21° 58 'E), in the years of 2008-2010. Miscanthus was found more tolerant to concomitant soil contamination with heavy metals and produced almost double biomass than Sida in all three tested years, independent of soil type. Miscanthus collected greater amount of heavy metals (except for cadmium) in the biomass than Sida. Both energy crops absorb high levels of zinc, lower levels of lead, copper, and nickel, and absorbed cadmium at least, generally more metals were taken from the sandy soil, where plants also yielded better. Photosynthesis net rate of Miscanthus was on average 40% higher compared to Sida. Obtained results indicate that M. x giganteus and S. hermaphrodita can successfully be grown on moderately contaminated soil with heavy metals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization, The Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation - State Research Institute, Czartoryskich 8, 24-100, Puławy, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kocoń
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization, The Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation - State Research Institute, Czartoryskich 8, 24-100, Puławy, Poland. bjurga@iung.pulawy.pl.
authors.forename: Beata
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9398-0359
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jurga
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D002104:Cadmium; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D018556:Crops, Agricultural; D000075322:Heavy Metal Poisoning; D007854:Lead; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D009532:Nickel / Q000032:analysis; D006109:Poaceae; D011041:Poisoning; D011044:Poland; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D015032:Zinc
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D003300:Copper; D009532:Nickel; D015032:Zinc
keywords: Biomass yield; Energy crops; Heavy metals; Phytoextraction; Soil contamination