PJB-2018-1618
Effects of inhibition threshold in heavy metals on the growth and development of Arundinaria fortunei
Abolghassem Emamverdian and Yulong Ding
Abstract
Extreme amount of heavy metals and the contamination in metropolitan areas caused by industrial sediments, factory pollution, and car exhaust lead to a negative effect on ornamental plants' growth. However, small amounts of some heavy metals as nutrients may help the plants to achieve a better growth. Our research was carried out to detect the effects of copper, lead, and zinc on enzymatic activity, lipid production, soluble protein, photosynthesis properties, and plant growth indexes on Arundinaria fortunei in Nanjing City, east of China. For this purpose, three heavy metals (Cd, Pb, and Zn) at four concentrations (0.500, 1000, and 2000mg/kg) were chosen based on their dispersion in the district. The results showed an increase in antioxidant enzyme activity in low concentration that ultimately reveals a downward trend with excess of heavy metals; this trend continued in protein structure and led to an increase in MDA content and soluble protein. Moreover, the results obtained by photosynthesis indexes showed that the effects of heavy metals have a negative impact on photosynthesis properties. High concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Zn revealed toxicity symptoms, such as chlorosis, and reduced the plant growth indexes in Arundinaria fortunei, while low concentrations of heavy metals improved the plant growth. In this study, Arundinaria fortunei is introduced as one species that is sensitive to high doses of heavy metals, particularly to a high concentration of Pb, used to monitor the contamination of urban areas.
To Cite this article:
Download
