Skip to main content

Exploring the metal phytoremediation potential of three Populus alba L. clones using an in vitro screening

Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 18, pages 82–90 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

This work was planned for providing a useful screening tool for the selection of Populus alba clones suitable for phytoremediation techniques. To this aim, we investigated variation in arsenic, cadmium, copper, and zinc tolerance, accumulation and translocation in three poplar clones through an in vitro screening. Poplars have been widely proposed for phytoremediation, as they are adaptable to grow on contaminated areas and able to accumulate metals. The investigation of possible differences among poplar clones in metal tolerance and accumulation deserves to be deeply studied and exploited for the selection of the more suitable tool for phytoremediation purposes.

Methods

In vitro multiplied microshoots of a commercial and two autochthonous P. alba clones were subcultured on hormone-free WPM medium for 1 month and then transferred for 2 weeks onto media containing different concentrations of the metals investigated. At the end of the treatments, plantlets were sampled, weighed, and mineralised by wet ashing. Metal concentrations were determined by ICP-OES.

Results

For the metal concentration used in the experiments, our clones of P. alba showed variation in metal tolerance, metal accumulation and content. The fast-growing commercial clone, even if rarely showing the highest plant metal concentration, displayed the highest metal content, suggesting biomass production as the key factor in evaluating the phytoextraction capacity of P. alba clones for the metals studied.

Conclusions

Data demonstrated that in vitro screening of cuttings represents a valuable way of assessing the ability of different poplar clones to take up, tolerate and survive metal stress.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

References

  • Balestrazzi A, Botti S, Zelasco S, Biondi S, Franchin C, Calligari P (2009) Expression of the PsMTA1 gene in white poplar engineered with the MAT system is associated with heavy metal tolerance and protection against 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine mediated-DNA damage. Plant Cell Rep 28:1179–1192

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baker AJM, Walker PL (1989) Physiological responses of plants to heavy metals and the quantification of tolerance and toxicity. Chem Speciat Bioavailab 1:7–17

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Che D, Meagher RB, Heaton ACP, Lima A, Rugh CL, Merkle SA (2003) Expression of mercuric ion reductase in Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) confers mercuric ion reduction and resistance. Plant Biotechnol J 1:311

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Confalonieri M, Balestrazzi A, Bisoffi S, Carbonera D (2003) In vitro culture and genetic engineering of Populus spp.: synergy for forest tree improvement. Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult 72(2):109–138

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickinson NM, Turner AP, Lepp NW (1991) How do trees and other long-lived plants survive in polluted environments? Funct Ecol (Print) 5:5–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickinson NM, Turner AP, Watmough SA, Lepp NW (1992) Acclimation of trees to pollution stress: cellular metal tolerance traits. Ann Bot 70:569–572

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dickinson NM, Baker AJM, Doronila A, Laidlaw S, Reeves RD (2009) Phytoremediation of inorganics: realism and synergies. Int J Phytoremediat 11(2):97–114

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dos Santos Utmazian MN, Wieshammer G, Vega R, Wenzel WW (2007) Hydroponic screening for metal resistance and accumulation of cadmium and zinc in twenty clones of willows and poplars. Environ Pollut 148(1):155–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fischerová Z, Tlustoš P, Száková J, Šichorová K (2006) A comparison of phytoremediation capability of selected plant species for given trace elements. Environ Pollut 144:93–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kabata-Pendias A, Pendias H (2001) Trace elements in soils and plants. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida

    Google Scholar 

  • Krämer U (2005) Phytoremediation: novel approaches to cleaning up polluted soils. Curr Opin Biotechnol 16:133–141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laureysens I, Blust R, De Temmerman L, Lemmens C, Ceulemans R (2004) Clonal variation in heavy metal accumulation and biomass production in a poplar coppice culture: I. seasonal variation in leaf, wood and bark concentrations. Environ Pollut 131(3):485–494

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd G, McCown BH (1980) Commercially feasible micropropagation of mountain laurel Kalmia latifolia by use of shoot-tip culture. Comb Proc Int Plant Propag Soc 30:421–427

    Google Scholar 

  • McGrath SP, Zhao FJ, Lombi E (2001) Plant and rhizosphere processes involved in phytoremediation of metal-contaminated soils. Plant Soil 232:207–214

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mench M, Schwitzguébel JP, Schroeder P, Bert V, Gawronski S, Gupta S (2009) Assessment of successful experiments and limitations of phytotechnologies: contaminant uptake, detoxification and sequestration, and consequences for food safety. Environ Sci Pollut Res 16:876–900

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pulford ID, Watson C (2003) Phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated land by trees—a review. Environ Int 29(4):529–540

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pulford ID, Riddell-Black D, Stewart C (2002) Heavy metal uptake by willow clones from sewage sludge-treated soil: the potential for phytoremediation. Int J Phytoremediat 4(1):59–72

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riddell-Black D (1993) A review of the potential for the use of trees in the rehabilitation of contaminated land. WRc Report CO 3467, Water Research Centre, Medmenham.

  • Robinson BH, Mills TM, Petit D, Fung LE, Green SR, Clothier BE (2000) Natural and induced cadmium accumulation in poplar and willow: implications for phytoremediation. Plant Soil 227(1–2):301–306

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson BH, Mills TM, Green SR, Chancerel B, Clothier BE, Fung LE, Hurst S, McIvor I (2005) Trace element accumulation by poplars and willows used for stock fodder. N Z J Agric Res 48(4):489–497

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rockwood DL, Naidu CV, Carter DR, Rahmani M, Spriggs TA, Lin C, Alker GR, Isebrands JG, Segrest SA (2004) Short-rotation woody crops and phytoremediation. Opportunities for agroforestry? Agrofor Syst 61(1):51–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuskan GA, DiFazio S, Jansson S, Bohlmann J, Grigoriev I, Hellsten U et al (2006) The Genome of Black Cottonwood, Populus trichocarpa (Torr. & Gray). Science 131:1596–1604

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Unterbrunner R, Puschenreiter M, Sommer P, Wieshammer G, Tlustoš P, Zupan M, Wenzel WW (2007) Heavy metal accumulation in tree growing on contaminated sites in Central Europe. Environ Pollut 148(1):107–114

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vangronsveld J, Herzig R, Weyens N, Boulet J, Adriaensen K, Ruttens A, Thewys T et al (2009) Phytoremediation of contaminated soils and groundwater: lessons from the field. Environ Sci Pollut Res 16:765–794

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Nevel L, Mertens J, Oorts K, Verheyen K (2007) Phytoextraction of metals from soils: how far from practice? Environ Pollut 150:34–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vassilev A, Schwitzguébel JP, Thewys T, van der Lelie D, Vangronsveld J (2004) The use of plants for remediation of metal contaminated soils. Scientific World J 4:9–34

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watson C, Pulford ID, Riddell-Black D (2003) Screening of willow species for resistance to heavy metals: comparison of performance in a hydroponics system and field trials. Int J Phytoremediat 5(4):351–365

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zacchini M, Pietrini F, Scarascia Mugnozza G, Iori V, Pietrosanti L, Massacci A (2009) Metal tolerance, accumulation and translocation in poplar and willow clones treated with cadmium in hydroponics. Water Air Soil Pollut 197:23–34

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zalesny JA, Zalesny RS, Wiese AH, Hall RB (2007) Choosing tree genotypes for phytoremediation of landfill leachate using phyto-recurrent selection. Int J Phytorem 9(6):513–530

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the CNR (Istituto di Genetica Vegetale) and the University of Firenze (Fondi di Ateneo 2007–2008).

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Sezione di Ecologia e Fisiologia Vegetale, Dipartimento di Biologia Vegetale, Università di Firenze, Via Micheli 1, 50121, Florence, Italy

    Sara Di Lonardo, Miluscia Arnetoli, Roberto Gabbrielli & Cristina Gonnelli

  2. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Genetica Vegetale, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy

    Maurizio Capuana

Authors
  1. Sara Di Lonardo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Maurizio Capuana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Miluscia Arnetoli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Roberto Gabbrielli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Cristina Gonnelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maurizio Capuana.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Elena Maestri

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Di Lonardo, S., Capuana, M., Arnetoli, M. et al. Exploring the metal phytoremediation potential of three Populus alba L. clones using an in vitro screening. Environ Sci Pollut Res 18, 82–90 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-010-0354-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-010-0354-7

Keywords

  • Poplar
  • Metals
  • Tolerance and accumulation variability
  • Clonal selection