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Model optimization of cadmium and accumulation in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.): potential use for ecological phytoremediation in Cd-contaminated soils

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Abstract

Soil pollution with heavy metals is an increasingly serious threat to the environment, food security, and human health. Therefore, it is urgent to develop economic and highly efficient soil restoration technology for environmental improvement; phytoremediation is an option that is safe, has low cost, and is environmentally friendly. However, in selecting hyperaccumulators or tolerant plants, theories and operation technologies for optimal restoration should be satisfied. In this study, the switchgrass growth response and performance of phytoextraction under the coupling effect of Cd and pH were investigated by evaluating seed germination, seedling growth, and the Cd content in the plant to evaluate the potential use of switchgrass as a phytoremediation plant in cadmium contaminated soil. This study conducted three sets of independent experiments with five levels of Cd concentrations, including two orthogonal matrix designs of combining Cd with pH values. The results showed that switchgrass was germinated well under all treatments (Cd concentration of 0–500 μM), but the seedling growth was significantly affected by Cd and pH, as shown by multivariate regression analyses. Hormesis was found during the growth of switchgrass plants exposed to low Cd concentrations under hydroponic conditions, and switchgrass plants were capable of developing with a Cd concentration of 100–175 μM and pH of 4.1–5.9. Mild acidic conditions can enhance the ability of Cd to accumulate in switchgrass. Switchgrass was moderately tolerant to Cd and may be used as a phytoremediation plant for Cd-contaminated soils in the future. Our results also suggest that hormetic effects should be taken into consideration in the phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soils. We discuss the physiological and biochemical mechanisms contributing to the effective application of the plant for the phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soils.

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Abbreviations

GP:

Germination percentage

Gi:

Germination index

PT:

Presoaking seeds time

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

PL:

Plumular length

FW:

Fresh biomass weight

DW:

Dry biomass weight

SVi:

Seed vigor index

TRL:

Total root length

RS:

Root surface area

NFL:

Number of first-order lateral roots

NRT:

Number of root tips

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Major Research plan of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31472158), The Major State Basic Research and Development Program of China (973 Program, No. 2011AA100209), and The International Cooperation Research Project between China and Serbia (No. 2011-1-7).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Grassland Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi Province, People’s Republic of China

    Quanzhen Wang, Muyu Gu, Xiaomin Ma, Hongjuan Zhang, Yafang Wang, Wei Gao & Jing Gui

  2. Institute of Plant Science, College of life Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi Province, People’s Republic of China

    Jian Cui

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  1. Quanzhen Wang
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  2. Muyu Gu
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  3. Xiaomin Ma
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  4. Hongjuan Zhang
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Correspondence to Quanzhen Wang.

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Wang, Q., Gu, M., Ma, X. et al. Model optimization of cadmium and accumulation in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.): potential use for ecological phytoremediation in Cd-contaminated soils. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 16758–16771 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4878-8

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