Growth and physiological response of Ziziphus jujuba under Cadmium and lead stress: A case study under greenhouse conditions

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) contamination in the water, soil, and/or in atmosphere exert drastic negative impacts on the environment. Since phytoremediation is an ecofriendly approach, therefore, growth, biomass production, Cd and Pb accumulation and translocation factor was evidenced in Ziziphus jujube, an important multipurpose tree species. Results showed an overall decreasing trend in growth of Ziziphus jujuba in all the treatments (Cd, Pb or combination of both). The highest decrease in plant height (67.7%), stem diameter (65.1%) and total biomass (65.4%) was recorded in Cd2 + Pb2 (Cd2, 8mg/kg; Pb2 80mg/kg). Overall, the HM contents were the highest in roots followed by stem and leaves whether Cd and Pb were applied separately or in combination. However, in treatments where Cd and Pb were applied in combination, the absorption of both HM decreased significantly as compared to the treatments where Cd and Pb was applied separately. The translocation factor remined less than one in almost all the treatments for both Cd and Pb, indicating low mobility of both HMs from root to shoot. These findings suggest that although growth was negatively affected but high Cd and Pb accumulation in roots and a TF of less than one, makes Ziziphus jujubea suitable candidate for phytoremediating soils contaminated with Cd and Pb.