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Multi-element Concentrations in Plant Parts and Fluids of Malaysian Nickel Hyperaccumulator Plants and some Economic and Ecological Considerations

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Abstract

Information about multi-elemental concentrations in different plant parts of tropical Ni hyperaccumulator species has the potential to provide insight into their unusual metabolism relative to a range of essential and non-essential elements, but this information is scant in the literature. As Ni hyperaccumulation, and possibly co-accumulation of other toxic elements, has been hypothesized to provide herbivore (insect) protection, there is a need to quantify a range of these elements in plant tissues and transport fluids to at least verify the possibility of this explanation. In this study, multiple elements were analyzed in a range of different plant parts and transport fluids from Ni hyperaccumulator species collected from Sabah (Malaysia). The results show preferential accumulation of Ni in leaves over woody parts, but the highest concentrations were found in the phloem tissue (up to 7.9 % in Rinorea bengalensis) and phloem sap (up to 16.9 % in Phyllanthus balgooyi), visible by a bright green coloration in the field fresh material. The amount of Ni contained in one mature R. bengalensis tree was calculated at 4.77 kg. The high Ni concentration in the flowers of Phyllanthus securinegoides could affect insect floral visitors and pollination. High concentrations of Ni in the seeds of this species also could supply the seedling with Ni and aid in herbivory protection during the first stages of development. Foliar Ca and Ni in P. cf. securinegoides and R. bengalensis are positively correlated. Low accumulation of Ca is desirable for phytomining but concentrations of Ca are high in most Ni hyperaccumulators examined, and this could have consequences for the economic viability of Ni extraction from bio ore if these species were to be used as ‘metal crops’.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Peter Erskine (University of Queensland, Australia), Mark Tibbett (Cranfield University, UK), and Alan Baker (University of Queensland and University of Melbourne) for advice and encouragement. We also thank Rimi Repin, Rositti Karim, Sukaibin Sumail (Sabah Parks), and John Sugau and Postar Miun (Sabah Forestry Department) for support. We express our gratitude to Sabah Parks and the Sabah Forestry Department for granting permission to conduct research in Kinabalu Park, Hampuan FR, Bidu-Bidu Hills FR and Trus Madi FR. The University of Queensland is acknowledged for financial support that made this project possible. Finally, we thank anonymous reviewers for constructive comments for improvement of an earlier version of this manuscript.

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  1. Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia

    Antony van der Ent & David Mulligan

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  1. Antony van der Ent
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Correspondence to Antony van der Ent.

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van der Ent, A., Mulligan, D. Multi-element Concentrations in Plant Parts and Fluids of Malaysian Nickel Hyperaccumulator Plants and some Economic and Ecological Considerations. J Chem Ecol 41, 396–408 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-015-0573-y

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