Skip to main content
Log in

Phenotypic seedling responses of a metal-tolerant mutant line of sunflower growing on a Cu-contaminated soil series: potential uses for biomonitoring of Cu exposure and phytoremediation

  • Regular Article
  • Published:
Plant and Soil Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background and aims

The potential use of a metal-tolerant sunflower mutant line for both biomonitoring and phytoremediating a Cu-contaminated soil series was investigated.

Methods

The soil series (21–1,170 mg Cu kg−1) was sampled in field plots at control and wood preservation sites. Sunflowers were cultivated 1 month in potted soils under controlled conditions.

Results

pH and dissolved organic matter influenced Cu concentration in the soil pore water. Leaf chlorophyll content and root growth decreased as Cu exposure rose. Their EC10 values corresponded to 104 and 118 μg Cu L−1 in the soil pore water, 138 and 155 mg Cu kg−1 for total soil Cu, and 16–18 mg Cu kg−1 DW shoot. Biomass of plant organs as well as leaf area, length and asymmetry were well correlated with Cu exposure, contrary to the maximum stem height and leaf water content.

Conclusions

Physiological parameters were more sensitive to soil Cu exposure than the morphological ones. Bioconcentration and translocation factors and distribution of mineral masses for Cu highlighted this mutant as a secondary Cu accumulator. Free Cu2+ concentration in soil pore water best predicted Cu phytoavailability. The usefulness of this sunflower mutant line for biomonitoring and Cu phytoextraction was discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

BCF:

Bioconcentration factor

Carot:

Carotenoid content

CCA:

Chromated copper arsenate

CEC:

Cation exchange capacity

Chl:

Chlorophyll

CTRL:

Control soil

Cu-ISE:

Copper ion selective electrode

ChlTOT:

Total chlorophyll content

CuMM:

Shoot Cu removal

CuRT:

Root Cu concentration

CuSH:

Shoot Cu concentration

CuSPW:

Total Cu concentration in the soil pore water

CuTOT:

Total soil Cu

DL:

Dolomitic limestone

DMF:

N,N-dimethylformamide

DOM:

Dissolved organic matter

DW:

Dry weight

DWSH:

Shoot DW yield

EC10 :

in a graded dose response curve, the concentration of a compound where 10 % of its maximal effect is observed

EMS:

Ethyl methanesulphonate

INRA LAS:

French National Institute for Agricultural Research - Laboratory of soil analysis Arras France

ISE:

Ion selective electrode

LA:

Leaf asymmetry

OM:

Organic matter

RPI:

Relative parameter index

RTEI:

Relative treatment efficiency index

SL:

Stem length

TE:

Trace element

TF:

Translocation factor

TI:

Tolerance index

TLA:

Total leaf area

TOC:

Total organic carbon

UNT:

Untreated soil

WC:

Water content

References

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by ADEME, Department of Urban Brownfields and Polluted Sites, Angers, France (Mrs F. Cadière as supervisor), the University of Bordeaux 1, Department of International Relationships, through European Commission Erasmus Mundus Lot 6, and the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7-KBBE-266124, GREENLAND). Thanks to Dr. Christophe Barnier (Institut EGID University Bordeaux 3, France), Dr. Anne Serani-Loppinet (ICMCB, University Bordeaux 1, France), and Pr. Mikael Motelica (University of Orléans, France) for their help in the analysis of soil pore waters. Special thanks to Dr. Jean-Paul Maalouf and Galina Brutcova for their technical assistance.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michel Mench.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Juan Barcelo.

Highlights

A metal-tolerant sunflower mutant can be used for monitoring and phytoremediating soil Cu contamination at a wood preservation site.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kolbas, A., Marchand, L., Herzig, R. et al. Phenotypic seedling responses of a metal-tolerant mutant line of sunflower growing on a Cu-contaminated soil series: potential uses for biomonitoring of Cu exposure and phytoremediation. Plant Soil 376, 377–397 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1974-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1974-8

Keywords

Navigation