Heavy metal accumulation in geranium (Pelargonium hortorum) and effects on growth and quality of plants

作者：Orrono D I; Lavado R S^*

来源：Agrochimica, 2011, 55(2): 116-128.

• heavy metals
• hyperaccumulator
• ornamental plants
• plant quality parameters

Two separate pot experiments were carried out for 16 weeks in order to evaluate heavy metal (HM) accumulation on the popular ornamental plant Pelargonium hortorum as well as the effects on growth and quality of plants. Experiment A studied the effects of copper, lead plus zinc, and Experiment B the effects of cadmium, chromium plus nickel. Treatments consist of control soil (non-contaminated); medium and high concentrations of copper, lead plus zinc; and medium and high concentrations of cadmium, chromium plus nickel. Growth parameters such as dry mass, relative growth rate (RGR), leaf and flower area, plant height and diameter were determined. The results showed that exposure to HM induced a decrease in several plant growth parameters. Experiment B was more affected than Experiment A. Quality of plants was also affected, especially leaf and flower area of Experiment B. The significant reduction on plants biomass in addition to the storage of metals mainly in roots and restricted transfer to the aerial parts in both experiments suggested that in contrast to other members of the genus, P. hortorum is not hyperaccumulator. Values represent the average of 3 replicates with the standard deviations in parentheses.

• 出版日期2011-4