Flora and lepidoptera fauna adversely affected by invasive Lupinus polyphyllus along road verges

An increasing number of invasive species are changing ecosystems around the world. Road verges have commonly become the first footholds of non-native species in the new environments. Regularly mown road verges also offer habitats for meadow flora and fauna, which in Europe have suffered from the radical decline of semi-natural biotopes due to the agricultural modernization. We studied impacts of an invasive plant Lupinus polyphyllus on the plant and Lepidoptera species composition along road verges. The plant species composition was studied on 15 sites (with 1 m² quadrats) and butterflies and diurnal moths along 15 transects (with weekly censuses) in SE Finland, each site and transect representing equally lupine invaded verge and an adjacent non-lupine verge. The species richness and diversity of flora and the cover and species richness of low growing (<20 cm) species, in particular, was lower in lupine verges compared to non-lupine verges. Also, the abundance of butterflies was lower in lupine verges. As the lupine cover approached 100%, fewer butterflies were observed in lupine transects compared to the adjacent non-lupine transects and a higher proportion of individuals were flying. Our results suggest that the changes in plant species assemblages and lower plant species richness in lupine invaded areas had “bottom-up” effects on higher trophic levels. Further studies on the control of lupine are urgently needed, but meanwhile we suggest regular mowing before the lupines have shed their seeds, together with the removal of the cuttings, to be the best management option.     

Arsenic and Heavy Metal Uptake and Accumulation in Native Plant Species from Soils Polluted by Mining Activities

Arsenic and heavy metal (specifically Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) uptake, translocation, and accumulation in ten native plant species spontaneously growing in soils polluted by mining activities were studied, with a focus on future phytoremediation work in polluted soils. Plant and soil samples were collected in the vicinity of the Mónica mine (NW Madrid, Spain). Soil analysis showed the ability of native plants for growing in soils with high concentration levels of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and especially As. From these elements, the highest percentage of extractable elements was found for Cd and the lowest for Pb. A highly significant correlation was observed between total and extractable element concentrations in soils, except for Cu, indicating that total concentration is the most relevant factor for element mobility in these soils. Extractable elements in soils were better correlated with concentrations in plants than total elements in soils; thus, extraction methods applied are suitable to estimate the element phytoavailable fraction in soils, which depends on the plant species and not only on the element mobility in soils. High element concentrations were found in the aboveground parts of Corrigiola telephiifolia (As and Pb), Jasione montana (Cd and Zn), and Digitalis thapsi (As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn). However, considering the translocation and accumulation factors, together with the concentration levels found in roots and aboveground parts, only C. telephiifolia could be considered a Pb accumulator and an As hyperaccumulator plant, which could be used for future phytoremediation work in soils polluted with As.     

Indigenous Plant Species with the Potential for the Phytoremediation of Arsenic and Metals Contaminated Soil

Here we present results of a survey conducted to identify and characterize spontaneously growing arsenic-tolerant plant species of the area around the old arsenic/gold mine in ZlotyStok (Poland), with respect of their potential use in phytoremediation. Plants and soil from their rhizosphere were sampled and analyzed for concentrations of As and accompanying Mn, Fe, Mg, Ca, Al, Cu, Zn, Ba, Pb, Ni, Cs, V, Cr, Sr, Rb, Bi, Mo and U. The soil contained primarily very high As, Pb and Al concentrations (up to 7,451, 1,058 and 31,272 mg/kg respectively). The ability of identified species to modify the amount of bioavailable arsenic in their rhizosphere was determined by single extractions of soil samples with the use of water, phosphate buffer, EDTA, and acetic acid. Although As-hyperaccumulators were not found, Calamagrostis arundinaca was identified as a new species which successfully carried out the natural phytoextraction of arsenic. This plant was able to increase substantially the arsenic availability in the soil, and likely due to efficient uptake decreased the total As concentration within the root zone by around 40% relative to the reference soil. Thus, it has high potential for phytoremediation. The lowest amount of available arsenic was found in the rhizosphere of Stachys sylvatica, the species with the lowest As shoot concentration (compared with other plant species). It was proposed as a good candidate for phytostabilization.     

Analysis of Arsenic Uptake by Plant Species Selected for Growth in Northwest Ohio by Inductively Coupled Plasma–Optical Emission Spectroscopy

Abstract

Arsenic (As) contamination is widespread in the industrial areas of northwest Ohio. Plant species that both take up As and are appropriate for the climate and growth conditions of the region are needed for phytoremediation to be successfully employed. Actively growing plants from 22 species of native genera were exposed to As in hydroponics systems (either 0, 10, or 50 mg As L^?1; 1 week) and commercially available potting mix (either 0, 10, 25, 100, or 250 mg As L^?1; 2 weeks), depending on their growth conditions. Aboveground plant tissues were harvested and digested, and concentrations of As were determined by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry. The highest tissue concentrations of As (mg As kg^?1 dw) were recorded in seven plant species: Rudbeckia hirta (661), Helenium autumnale (363 in tissues formed after exposure to As), Lupinus perennis (333), Echinacea purpurea (298), Coreopsis lanceolata (258), Lepidium virginicum (214), and Linum lewisii (214). These seven species are ecologically diverse, which suggests that phytoremediation of As using diverse assemblages of plants may be an option for a variety of environments.     

Inbreeding and small population size reduce seed set in a threatened and fragmented plant species, Lupinus sulphureus ssp. kincaidii (Fabaceae)

Willamette Valley upland prairie in western Oregon, USA, has been reduced to less than 1% of its original historic range following European settlement in the 1850s. Lupinus sulphureus ssp. kincaidii (Kincaid's lupine), a threatened species and the primary larval host plant of the endangered Icaricia icarioides fenderi (Fender's blue butterfly), was historically a panmictic metapopulation. Habitat fragmentation may be causing many of the Kincaid's lupine colonies to display typical symptoms of inbreeding depression, such as low seed production. Hand outcrosses on bagged inflorescences significantly increased seed set and seed fitness compared to open pollination and within-colony pollen treatments. Natural seed set was positively correlated with an increase in the number of Kincaid's lupine patches, suggesting that population size limits seed set. An increase in fruit set was positively correlated with Kincaid's lupine raceme number, raceme density, and the number of lupine patches, demonstrating that floral display and population size increase pollinator service. Restoration of Kincaid's lupine populations should consider measures that lessen the effects of inbreeding depression, especially in small, isolated populations, for the long-term persistence of the species.     

高产生物能植物蓖麻作为铜污染土壤上潜在植物修复剂

Copper (Cu) contamination in the environment has been increased during the years with agricultural and industrial activities.Biotechnological approaches are needed for bioremediation in these areas. The aims of this study were i) to evaluate the phytoremediation capacity of the high-yielding bioenergy plant castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) in vineyard soils (Inceptisol and Mollisol) contaminated with Cu and a Cu mining waste; ii) to characterize the castor bean as a Cu phytoremediation plant; and iii) to evaluate the nutrient uptake by castor bean. Castor bean plants cultivated in soil with toxic levels of Cu for 57 d exhibited high phytomass production, a high tolerance index of roots’ fresh mass and shoots’ dry mass, a high level of Cu phytoaccumulation in the roots and also, a robust capacity for Cu phytostabilization. Furthermore, castor bean plants did not significantly deplete soil nutrients(such as N, P, and Mg) during cultivation. Plants cultivated in Inceptisol, Mollisol and Cu mining waste exhibited a strong potential for Cu phytoaccumulation, with values of 5 900, 3 052 and 2 805 g ha-1, respectively. In addition, the castor bean’s elevated phytomass production and strong growth in Cu-contaminated soils indicated a high level of Cu phytoaccumulation and a potential application in biofuels. These findings indicate that the castor bean is a efcient hyperaccumulator of Cu and a potential candidate plant for the phytoremediation of Cu-contaminated soil.     

Improved growth and Cu tolerance of Cu excess-stressed white clover after inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, Glomus intraradices, on growth and copper (Cu) tolerance of white clover (Trifolium repens) were investigated in soils with different Cu amounts. The AM inoculation increased plant biomass and the total or bound Cu concentrations in shoots and roots but decreased the total Cu in soils and the exchangeable Cu in shoots, roots and soils at all Cu levels. Mycorrhizal plants had higher levels of root phosphorus and shoot zinc (Zn) at lower Cu levels and more nitrogen and Zn in roots and potassium, calcium and magnesium in shoots and roots at all Cu addition levels. Additionally, AM inoculation enhanced urease, acid phosphatase and catalase activities in rhizosphere soils and mycorrhizal roots showed higher levels of peroxidase, catalase, proline and soluble sugar at all Cu addition levels. These results indicate that mycorrhizal white clover is potentially suitable for Cu phytoremediation based on greenhouse studies.     

Use of White Lupin Plant for Phytostabilization of Cd and As Polluted Acid Soil

Cadmium and arsenic are two of the most important and toxic pollutants ubiquitous in the environment. The occurrence of numerous polluted areas as the affected by the accident of Aznalcóllar pyrite mine has promoted the employment of the phytoremediation as a feasible technology able to control and reduce the risk of this contamination at low cost. White lupin plant is proposed as a candidate for phytoremediation. This work aims to study if it is possible to use white lupin in phytoremediation of soils affected by acid pyrite sludge, with simultaneous As and Cd pollution. Pot and field experiments with sludge-affected soil were carried out. The pot trial showed that the NTA treatment increased Cd and As concentrations in lixiviates, exceeding the maximum permissible levels, so that its use in field experiments was avoided. In the field experiment, phytoextraction of Cd and As by lupin plants was very low, suggesting that it was not recommended for phytoextraction. However, lupin culture in the field produced several benefits as: increase of acid soil pH probably by citrate excretion, decrease in soluble As and Cd fractions in soil, high concentration of As and Cd in roots with accumulation of heavy metals in root nodules. All these results support the use of Lupinus albus for phytostabilization and revegetation of the spill polluted soils.     

Interactions between crop residues application and mycorrhizal developments and some soil-root interface properties and mineral acquisition by plants in an acidic soil

The addition of plant residues and the appropriate management of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbioses have been tested in an acidic soil, an Andisol from Southern Chile, to ascertain whether these agro-technologies help plants to withstand potential mineral deficiency and the toxicities inherent to the low pH conditions. Firstly, the effects of legume (lupine) and non-legume (wheat) crop residues on some key root-soil interface activities (including AM development), on mineral acquisition by the plants, and on the yield of wheat growing in the test Andisol were investigated in a pot experiment under greenhouse conditions. Both lupine and wheat residues were added at a rate equivalent to 300 g m^-2 to the natural soil. These organic amendments increased soil pH (wheat more than lupine), P availability and AM development (lupine more than wheat), plant performance and mineral acquisition (wheat more than lupine). Because of an increase in mycorrhizal activity, which appeared to be involved in the effect of the added crop (particularly lupine) residues, the role of the AM symbiosis was further investigated in a tailored inoculation assay, using a selected AM fungus (Glomus etunicatum), in interaction with lupine and wheat residues. A significant effect of AM inoculation on the reduction of Zn and Cu, and Mn and Al acquisition was demonstrated, which could be of interest in acid soils with regard to potential toxicity problems.     

不同铜污染土壤上海州香薷生长及铜吸收动态

盆栽试验表明,生长期内海州香薷植物体内Cu含量呈现2个随着不同处理中Cu浓度的提高而斜率递增的阶段;海州香薷植株内Cu含量对外界Cu浓度的响应曲线以200mg/kg为转折点,当Cu浓度>200mg/kg时曲线斜率显著增加。在开花初期,Cu400处理污染土壤中Cu清除量达到最大值27.2mg/盆,其污染土壤重金属去除率仅为1.30%。而盛花期,各处理污染土壤中海州香薷植物内Cu含量均明显高于开花初期,Cu400处理污染土壤中Cu清除量达到最大值143mg/盆,其污染土壤重金属去除率达6.85%,与开花初期差异显著(p<0.05)。     

Establishment of selenium uptake and species distribution in lupine, Indian mustard, and sunflower plants

Selenium has been recognized as essential for all mammals; therefore, its concentration level and speciation are of great concern. Plants are one of the main sources of selenium in the diet. Thus, inorganic selenium uptake and its transformation in different species were evaluated in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea), sunflower (Helianthus annus), and white lupine (Lupinus albus). More than 1.2 g x kg(-)(1) (dry matter) of Se was found in the aerial part of Indian mustard when growing on 1 mg x L(-)(1) of Se as Na(2)SeO(4), and approximately half this amount was determined in the leaves of the lupine, which is still quite high. Selenomethionine was the main selenium-containing amino acid identified in most of the extracts by HPLC-ICP-MS. The higher values were 6.8 and 14.5 mg x kg(-)(1) (expressed as Se in dry matter) in the leaves of lupine and sunflower, respectively. This is of great importance because some authors have considered the combination of this enriched material with non-enriched food as a source of selenium supplementation.     

Accumulation of Copper,Lead, and Zinc by In Situ Plants Inoculated with AM Fungi in Multicontaminated Soil

Pot and field experiments were conducted to (1) evaluate bioavailability of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in contaminated soil and phytoremediation potential by in situ plants, B. pilosa var. radiate and Passiflora foetida var. hispida, as inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, and (2) compare the results of pot and field experiments. The B. pilosa var. radiate plant inoculated with AM fungi had significantly greater Cu concentrations in the shoots and roots than noninoculated plants. Passiflora foetida var. hispida plant inoculated with AM fungi also had significantly greater Cu and Pb concentrations in the roots than noninoculated plants. As the root dry weight of Passiflora foetida var. hispida inoculated with AM fungi dramatically increased, the root Cu, Pb, and Zn content of Passiflora foetida var. hispida inoculated with AM fungi increased by 9–14 times, as compared with the noninoculated plants. The AM fungi have potential to either promote plant growth or increase heavy‐metal accumulation. The values of element translocation proportion from root to shoot were Zn > Cu > Pb for both plant species in pot and field experiments. For both plant species, the results of the pot and field experiments were significantly different. The concentration values of the pot experiment were greater in comparison to the field experiment, and some values were significantly greater than those in the field experiment.     

Interactive effect between Cu‐adapted arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and biotreated agrowaste residue to improve the nutritional status of Oenothera picensis growing in Cu‐polluted soils

The interactive effect of sugar beet (SB) agrowaste and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi inoculation in response to increasing Cu levels was evaluated in the metallophyte Oenothera picensis. Plants were grown in a Cu‐added soil (0, 100, or 500 mg Cu kg^?1), in presence or absence of SB, and inoculated with: (1) indigenous Cu adapted mycorrhiza (IM) isolated from Cu‐polluted soils; (2) Claroideoglomus claroideum (CC); or (3) maintained uninoculated (control). Sugar beet application produced an increase in shoot biomass of 2 to 7 times, improving plant nutritional status and allowing their survival at the highest Cu concentrations. Moreover, AM fungi utilization had a positive effect promoting the plant establishment; nevertheless, Cu plant concentration as well as the mycorrhizal development in terms of AM colonization, AM spore density, and glomalin production were strictly dependent of the AM fungi strains used. Remarkable differences between AM fungi strains were observed at the highest soil Cu level where only plants colonized by IM were able to survive and grow when no SB residue was added. An interactive effect between AM fungi and SB produced a higher plant growth than plants without the amendment application, improving the plant establishment and allowing their survival at highest copper concentrations, suggesting that this combination could be used as a biotechnological tool for the phytoremediation of Cu‐polluted soils.     

Arsenic-contaminated soils phytotoxicity studies with sunflower and sorghum

Background, Aim and Scope  Environmental pollution caused by arsenic (As) is a major ecological problem. There has been intense worldwide effort to find As-hyperaccumulating plants that can be used in phytoremediation—the green-plant-assisted removal of chemical pollutants from soils. For phytoremediation, it is natural to prefer cultivated rather than wild plants, because their agriculture is well known. This study was conducted to evaluate the tolerance of common sunflower(Helianthus annuus L.) and sugar sorghum(Sorghum saccharatum Pers.) for soil-As contents of 10–100 mg As kg^-1 soil, with sodium arsenite as a model contaminant. Methods  Plants were grown in a growth chamber for 30 days. Microfield experiments were conducted on experimental plots. To study the phytoremediation effect of the auxins indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), we treated 1- and 3-day-old plant seedlings with water solutions of the auxins (concentrations 10^-5, 10^-7, and 10^-9 g l^-1). The soil and plant-biomass samples were analyzed for total As by using the color reaction of ammonium molybdate with As. Results and Discussion  Phytotoxicity studies showed that 100 mg As kg^-1 soil poisoned sunflower and sorghum growth by 50%. There was a linear correlation between soil-As content and As accumulation in the plants. Laboratory experiments showed that the soil-As content was reduced two- to threefold after sunflower had been grown with 10–100 mg As kg^-1 soil for 30 days. Treatment of sunflower and sorghum seedlings with IAA and 2,4-D at a concentration of 10^-5 g l^-1 in microfield experiments enhanced the phytoremediation two- to fivefold as compared with untreated control plants. The best results were obtained with 3-day-old seedlings. Conclusion, Recommendation and Outlook  (a) Sunflower and sorghum are good candidates to remediate As-polluted soils. (b) Phytoremediation can be improved with IAA or 2,4-D. (c) Mixed cropping of sorghum and sunflower may be another way of improving phytoremediation.     

Heavy Metal Concentration Survey in Soils and Plants of the Les Malines Mining District (Southern France): Implications for Soil Restoration

Mining activities generate spoils and effluents with extremely high metal concentrations of heavy metals that might have adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. Therefore, information on soil and plant metal concentrations is needed to assess the severity of the pollution and develop a strategy for soil reclamation such as phytoremediation. Here, we studied soils and vegetation in three heavily contaminated sites with potential toxic metals and metalloids (Zn, Pb, Cd, As, TI) in the mining district of Les Malines in the Languedoc region (southern France). Extremely high concentrations were found at different places such as the Les Aviniéres tailing basins (up to 160,000 mg kg^?C1 Zn, 90,000 mg kg^?C1 Pb, 9,700 mg kg^?C1 of As and 245 mg kg^?C1 of Tl) near a former furnace. Metal contamination extended several kilometres away from the mine sites probably because of the transport of toxic mining residues by wind and water. Spontaneous vegetation growing on the three mine sites was highly diversified and included 116 plant species. The vegetation cover consisted of species also found in non-contaminated soils, some of which have been shown to be metal-tolerant ecotypes (Festuca arvernensis, Koeleria vallesiana and Armeria arenaria) and several Zn, Cd and Tl hyperaccumulators such as Anthyllis vulneraria, Thlaspi caerulescens, Iberis intermedia and Silene latifolia. This latter species was highlighted as a new thallium hyperaccumulator, accumulating nearly 1,500 mg kg^?C1. These species represent a patrimonial interest for their potential use for the phytoremediation of toxic metal-polluted areas.     

19种湿地植物对铜、铬、镍吸收与分配的差异

An experiment was carried out to investigate the variations in metal uptake and translocation among 19 wetland plant species in small-scale plots of constructed wetland using artificial wastewater containing 2.0 mg L^-1 copper (Cu), 1.0 mg L^-1 chromium (Cr), and 2.0 mg L^-1 nickel (Ni). More than 97% of Cu, Cr, and Ni were removed from the wastewater by the wetland plant species. There were more than 100-fold differences in the metal accumulation and more than ten-fold differences in the metal concentrations among the 19 plant species. These plants accumulated as high as 8.8% of Cu, 20.5% of Cr, and 14.4% of Ni when they were grown in the wetland soaked with the wastewater. Several plant species were found to be highly capable of accumulating one, two or all the three metals. The results indicated considerable variations in the metal removal abilities through phytoextraction among the 19 wetland plant species. It can be concluded that the selection of appropriate plant species in constructed wetland can be crucial for the improvement of metal removal efficiency of the wetland system.     

外源油菜素内酯介导Cu胁迫下番茄生长及Cu、Fe、Zn的吸收与分配

为了探索外源油菜素内酯对番茄Cu胁迫的缓解效应及机理,采用营养液水培的方法,以‘改良毛粉802F1’番茄为材料,研究外源2,4-表油菜素内酯(2,4-EBR,简称EBR)对Cu胁迫下番茄生长及矿质元素吸收的影响。结果表明:外源EBR能够缓解Cu胁迫对番茄植株的生长抑制。与Cu胁迫处理相比,喷施EBR的番茄叶绿素含量和生物量分别提高39.6%和20.0%,差异均达显著水平;Cu胁迫条件下,外源EBR显著降低番茄根系对Cu的吸收与转运,提高叶片中因Cu过多而降低的Fe、Zn含量,有效调控Cu、Fe、Zn的化学提取态和亚细胞分布水平,降低Cu在细胞内的生物毒性,使之向着有利于番茄生长的方向发展,从而保证Cu胁迫下植株正常的生理生化代谢。Cu胁迫提高了番茄叶片和根系各种化学形态的Cu含量,而外施EBR降低了番茄叶片中除NaCl提取态Cu以外的其他各种形态Cu含量。Cu胁迫下易移动态Cu在叶片中的比例升高,而根系中却下降;外施EBR后,番茄植株中难移动态和易移动态Cu的所占比例接近CK,说明Cu胁迫下EBR对Cu的番茄体内分配具显著调控作用。     

Long-term dynamics and population viability in one of the last populations of the endangered Spiranthes spiralis (Orchidaceae) in the Netherlands

During the last decades, most orchid species in much of Western Europe have suffered significant declines and the long-term survival of the remaining populations remains to a large extent uncertain. In particular, populations at range margins may be more prone to extinction than more central populations, as the former tend to be small and isolated, occur in ecologically marginal habitats and have a lower per-capita reproductive rate. In this study, we investigated the long-term dynamics and population viability of a population at the margin of its range of Spiranthes spiralis in the Netherlands. At present, only 2 out of 40 previously known populations persist. Individual plants were monitored for 24 years and their life span, flowering frequency and vegetative growth were determined. Individual plants showed large temporal variation in sexual and vegetative growth among years. The proportion of flowering plants varied from 0 (no plants were flowering) to 100 (all plants were flowering). Vegetative growth, on the other hand, increased when the number of individuals decreased. Dormancy was present, but occurred only in a few individuals. Using a non-structured population viability model, future prospects of this species were assessed. Calculation of extinction probabilities and estimated times to extinction using the diffusion approximation model showed that the species had a relatively high probability (79%) of surviving the next 20 years, whereas the median time to extinction was forty years. However, because 95% confidence intervals of the population growth included 1, we suggest that continued monitoring and additional genetic research are needed to assess the long-term viability of this species.     

Phosphorus nutrition of white lupine grown on a Calciaquoll

Abstract

White lupine (Lupinus albus L.) and navy bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are legumes with and without the proteoid root characteristic, respectively. The influence of P (0, 40, 80, and 120 mg/kg of NaH₂PO₄‐P) and source of nitrogen (N) [inoculation with Bradyrhizobium lupini or Rhizobium phaseoli vs. NH₄NO₃] on phosphorus (P) uptake by navy bean and white lupine grown on a Calciaquoll low in available P and N was studied under greenhouse conditions. Both species responded to P fertilizer, but P accumulation in navy bean tops was much greater than in white lupine. Inoculated white lupine plants accumulated more P than their NH₄NO₃‐treated counterparts. Growth and P uptake of 17‐day‐old flax (Linum usitatissium L.) plants grown in pots previously planted to white lupine, but not in their navy bean counterparts, was severely retarded. White lupine did not enhance the availability of soil P in the calcareous soil.     

Cadmium Phytoextraction Efficiency of Arum (Colocasia antiquorum), Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) Grown in Hydroponics

Selection of a phytoextraction plant with high Cd accumulation potential based on compatibility with mechanized cultivation practice and local environmental conditions may provide more benefits than selection based mainly on high Cd tolerance plants. In this hydroponics study, the potential of Cd accumulation by three plant species; arum (Colocasia antiquorum), radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) were investigated. Arum (Colocasia antiquorum L.) plants were grown for 60 days in a nutrient solution with 0, 10 or 50 μM Cd, while radish and water spinach plants grew only 12 days in 0, 1.5, 2.5, 5 or 10 μM Cd. Growth of radish and water spinach plants decreased under all Cd treatments (1.5 to 10 μM), while arum growth decreased only at 50 μM Cd. At 10 μM Cd treatment, the growth of arum was similar to the control treatment indicating higher tolerance of arum for Cd than radish and water spinach. Cadmium concentrations in different plant parts of all plant species increased significantly with Cd application in the nutrient solution. Arum and water spinach retained greater proportions of Cd in their roots, while in radish, Cd concentration in leaves was higher than in other plant parts. Cadmium concentrations in arum increased from 158 to 1,060 in the dead leaves, 37 to 280 in the normal leaves, 108 to 715 in the stems, 42 to 290 in the bulbs and 1,195 to 3,840 mg kg^?1 in the roots, when the Cd level in the solution was raised from 10 μM Cd to 50 μM Cd. Arum accumulated (dry weight?×?concentration) 25 mg plant^?1 at 10 μM, while the corresponding values for radish and water spinach were 0.23 and 0.44 mg plant^?1, respectively. With no growth retardation at Cd concentrations as high as 166 mg kg^?1 measured in entire plant (including root) of arum at 10 μM Cd in the nutrient solution, arum could be a potential Cd accumulator plant species and could be used for phytoremediation.