Phytotoxicity and some interactions of the essential trace metals iron,manganese, molybdenum,zinc, copper,and boron

Abstract

The essential trace elements Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B in high concentrations can produce phytotoxicities. Iron toxicity resulted from 5 × 10^‐4 M and 10^‐3 M FeSO₄, but not from equivalent amounts of FeEDDHA (ferric ethylenediamine di (o‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid) ). Leaf concentrations in bush beans of 465 μg Mn/g, 291 μg B/g, and 321 μg Zn/g all on the dry weight basis resulted in 27%, 45%, and 34% reduction in yields of leaves, respectively. Zinc was concentrated in roots while Mn and B concentrated in leaves. Solution concentrations of MnS0₄ of 10^‐3 and 10^‐2 M depressed leaf yields of bush beans by 63% and 83%, respectively, with 5140 and 10780 μg Mn/g dry weight of leaves. Copper concentrations were simultaneously increased and those of Ca were decreased. Bush bean plants grown in Yolo loam soil with 200 μg Cu/g soil had a depression in leaf yield of 26% (with 28. 8 μg Cu/g leaf); plants failed to grow with 500 μg Cu/g soil. A level of 10^‐3 M H₂MoO₄ was toxic to bush beans grown in solution culture. Leaves, stems, and roots, respectively, contained 710, and 1054, and 5920 μg Mo/g dry weight.     

Effects of Nickel on Growth and Composition of Metal Micronutrients in Barley Plants Grown in Nutrient Solution

Abstract

A hydroponic experiment was conducted in a phytotron at pH 5.5 to study the effects of nickel (Ni) on the growth and composition of metal micronutrients, such as copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn), of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Minorimugi). Four Ni treatments were conducted (0, 1.0, 10, and 100 μM) for 14 d. Plants grown in 100 μM Ni showed typical visual symptoms of Ni toxicity such as chlorosis, necrosis of leaves, and browning of the root system, while other plants were free from any symptoms. Dry weights were the highest in plants grown in 1.0 μM Ni, with a corresponding increase in the chlorophyll index of the plants, suggesting that 1.0～10 μM Ni needs to be added to the nutrient solution for optimum growth of barley plants. The increase of Ni in the nutrient solutions increased the concentrations of Cu and Fe in roots, while a decrease was observed in shoots. The concentrations of Mn and Zn in shoots and roots of plants decreased with increasing Ni supply in the nutrient solution. Shoot concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in plants grown at 100 μ M Ni were below the critical levels for deficiency. Plants grown at 1.0 μ M Ni accumulated higher amounts of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn, indicating that nutrient accumulation in plants was more influenced by dry weights than by nutrient concentrations. The translocation of Cu and Fe from roots to shoots was repressed, while that of Mn and Zn was not repressed with increasing Ni concentration in the nutrient solution.     

Frequency distribution of several trace metals in 72 corn plants grown together in contaminated soil in a glasshouse

Abstract

A 9‐kg quantity of Yolo loam soil was contaminated in sequence with (In μg/g soil) 100 Cd, 100 Zn, 100 Co, 12.5 Li, and 100 Ni. Corn (Zea mays L. C. V. Golden Cross N. C. ) was grown together in the soil for 22 days from seed. Seventy‐two harvested plants were assayed separately. Several different trace metals were tested for normal and loge frequency distribution patterns. Some followed log_e normal distribution more closely than a normal distribution as indicated by kurtosis values. Two followed normal distribution more closely than log_e normal distribution. Some negative skewness was observed with the log_e normal distribution, but only that for Co was significant. The yields of the plants were significantly and negatively correlated with the concentrations of Ni, Co, Cu, and Cd in shoots. Stepwise regression analysis indicated that it was reasonably Possible to determine which of the trace metals of the mixture caused phytotoxicity. Some pairs of trace metals were highly and positively correlated: Zn‐Cu, Zn‐Cd, Cu‐Cd, Mn‐Li, Co‐Ni, Co‐Cd are examples. The mixed trace metals decreased shoot concentrations of P and Mo and increased Al and Ti relative to control plants not receiving added metals. The Si was also decreased by trace metals and was positively related to yields.     

Effects of excess manganese on mineral uptake in mycorrhizal sorghum

Associations between vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi and manganese (Mn) nutrition/toxicity are not clear. This study was conducted to determine the effects of excess levels of Mn on mineral nutrient uptake in shoots and roots of mycorrhizal (+VAM) and non‐mycorrhizal (‐VAM) sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench, cv. NB9040]. Plants colonized with and without two VAM isolates [Glomus intraradices UT143–2 (UT1 43) and Gl. etunicatum UT316A‐2 (UT316)] were grown in sand irrigated with nutrient solution at pH 4.8 containing 0, 270, 540, and 1080 μM of added Mn (as manganese chloride) above the basal solution (18 μM). Shoot and root dry matter followed the sequence of UT316 > UT143 > ‐VAM, and shoots had greater differences than roots. Shoot and root concentrations and contents of Mn, phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu were determined. The +VAM plants generally had higher mineral nutrient concentrations and contents than ‐VAM plants, although ‐VAM plants had higher concentrations and contents of some minerals than +VAM plants at some Mn levels. Plants colonized with UT143 had higher concentrations of shoot P, Ca, Zn, and Cu and higher root Mg, Zn, and Cu than UT316 colonized plants, while UT316 colonized plants had higher shoot and root K concentrations than UT143 colonized plants. These results showed that VAM isolates differ in enhancement of mineral nutrient uptake by sorghum.     

Effect of chelating agents on phytotoxicity of lead and lead transport

Abstract

The major purpose of these experiments was to determine if Pb uptake by plants was significantly increased by chelating agents used in plant nutrition. The interaction of Pb with some other elements in barley plants (Hordeum vulgare L. C.V. Atlas 57) and bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. C.V. Improved Tendergreen) was studied in a glasshouse with different rates of Pb in solution culture and in amended (control, S, CaCO₃, MgCO₃) Yolo loam soil with and without the chelating agent DTPA (diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid). In a solution culture experiment, 10^‐3 M Pb significantly decreased bush bean yields in both control and DTPA treatments. The CaCO₃ added to nutrient solution decreased the concentration of Pb in leaves, stems, and roots and prevented the toxicity of 10^‐3 M Pb⁺⁺. At high Pb levels, interactions between Pb and Mn and Pb and Fe were observed, except with CaCO₃. In the soil experiment, the yields of barley and bush bean were influenced only slightly by Pb. The Pb concentration in barley shoots and bush bean leaves and stems was increased considerably in the presence of DTPA, however. In the absence of DTPA, the effect of added Pb was very small in the control and S amended soil treatments and almost negligible in the CaCO₃ and MgCO₃ amended soil treatments. Application of DTPA facilitated the translocation of Pb, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn to shoots. The effect was dependent upon soil pH. Particularly, the Fe was increased by DTPA at low pH while the effect was negligible at high pH. This was opposite the effect on Pb. The DTPA resulted in considerable Pb transport to leaves and stems at high soil pH. The uptake pattern of Zn and Cu was similar to that of Pb. It can be expected that chelating agents can increase the migration of Pb to plants andincrease its uptake by plants, and hence, entry into food chains.     

Effects of excess aluminum on mineral uptake in mycorrhizal sorghum

Soil acidity is often associated with toxic aluminum (Al), and mineral uptake usually decreases in plants grown with excess Al. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Al (0, 35, 70, and 105 μM) on Al, phsophorus (P), sulfur (S), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn,) and copper (Cu) uptake in shoots and roots of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, cv. SC283] colonized with the vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi isolates Glomus intraradices UT143–2 (UT143) and Glomus etunicatum UT316A‐2 (UT316) and grown in sand (pH 4.8). Mycorrhizal (+VAM) plants had higher shoot and root dry matter (DM) than nonmycorrhizal (‐VAM) plants. The VAM treatment had significant effects on shoot concentrations of P, K, Ca, Fe, Mn, and Zn; shoot contents of P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu; root concentrations of P, S, K, Ca, Mn, Zn, and Cu; and root contents of Al, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu. The VAM effects on nutrient concentrations and contents and DM generally followed the sequence of UT316 > UT143 > ‐VAM. The VAM isolate UT143 particularly enhanced Zn uptake, and both VAM isolates enhanced uptake of P and Cu in shoots and roots, and various other nutrients in shoots or roots.     

Aluminum toxicity in plants grown in solution culture

Abstract

Earlirose rice (Oryza sativa L. ) and Hawkeye soybeans (Glycine max L.) were grown in solution culture with A1₂(SO₄)₃ in concentrations of 0, 10^‐6, 10^‐5, 10^‐4, 10^‐3 M. Only at 10^‐4 (slightly) and at 10^‐3 M were there yield depressions due to Al. The threshold concentration of Al for toxicity was about 20 μg/g in rice shoots and about 30 μg/g in soybean leaves. The solution level necessary for these concentrations was 8 μg Al/ml. Plant concentrations which caused severe toxicity were 70 μg Al/g plant with 81 μg Al/ml solution. Most Al remained in roots, but leaves contained more than did stems of soybeans. The high Al decreased Fe, Cu, and Mn concentrations in shoots of rice and decreased Fe, Cu, and Zn in roots of rice. The high Al resulted in decreased Fe and Zn in leaves of soybeans. No Fe deficiency symptoms were present due to the high Al.     

Zinc toxicity‐induced variation of mineral element composition in hydroponically grown bush bean plants

Bush bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv Contender) were grown for twenty days in nutrient solution (pH=5), containing 0.13, 0.3, 0.5 or 0.75 mg 1^‐1 Zn as ZnSO₄‐7H₂O. The plant yield decreased linearly with the increase of the Zn concentration supplied. The phytotoxic threshold content (for 10% growth reduction) was about 486, 242, 95 and 134^‐ μg Zn g^‐1 for roots, steins, mature primary and trifoliate leaves, and developing leaves, respectively. High inverse correlation coefficients with the Zh concentration supplied were found for the Mn content of all organs, for the P content of roots, and for the Cu and Ca contents of developing leaves. Significant positive relations were found for the Fe, Zn and Cu contents in roots and for the Zn con‐ tents in stems and fully expanded leaves. The ratios of the mineral contents between organs suggest inhibition of uptake of Mn and P, and inhibition of translocation of Fe, Cu and Ca. The relation between dry weight decrease and Zn‐induced nutrient content disorders were discussed.     

Cadmium accumulation and distribution in sunflower plant

Cadmium (Cd) accumulation and distribution was studied in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L., public line HA‐89) plant. From an uncontaminated sandy loam brown forest soil with 162 μg kg^‐1 HNO₃/H₂O₂ extractable Cd the HA‐89 sunflower public line accumulated 114 ug kg^‐1 Cd in its kernels under open field conditions. This value is rather low as compared to data found by others. Sandy loam brown forest soil was treated with 0, 1 or 10 mg kg^‐1 of Cd to study the interaction of this heavy metal with young sunflower plants in a greenhouse pot experiment. The fresh weight and dry matter accumulation of sunflower plant organs (roots, shoots, leaves or heads) was unaffected by cadmium treatment of soil. The nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), or zinc (Zn) uptake of sunflower plant organs was not influenced by lower or higher Cd‐doses, except sunflower heads where 10 mg kg^‐1 of Cd treatment of soil significantly reduced the uptake of Ca, Fe, and Mn. Although Cd reduced the Zn uptake of roots, its rate was statistically not significant. Cadmium was accumulated prevalently in roots (1.21 mg kg^‐1,4.97 mg kg^‐1, or 13.69 mg kg^‐1 depending on Cd‐dose), and its concentration increased also in shoots or leaves. In spite of the short interaction time, elevated concentrations of cadmium (0.78 mg kg^‐1, 1.34 mg kg^‐1, or 3.02 mg kg^‐1 depending on Cd‐dose) were detected in just emerged generative organs (heads) of young sunflower plants.     

Effects of low aluminium levels on growth and nutrient relations in three rice cultivars with different tolerances to aluminium

Reports on varietal diversity of upland rice in relation to relatively low aluminium (Al) levels are limited. Therefore, effects were examined of 35, 70, and 140 μM Al on plant growth and uptake of macro‐ and micro‐nutrients (K, P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn) and their distribution in three upland rice (Oryza saliva L.) cultivars (BG35, DA14, and IR45) with different Al sensitivity. After an initial growth period of 5 days without Al, the plants were grown for 21 days in nutrient solutions containing Al at pH 4.1. Cultivar BG35 showed the highest and IR45 the lowest tolerance to Al when fresh weights of shoots or roots were considered. Except for IR45 at 140 μM Al, total dry weight was unaffected by Al, and the cultivars could not be clearly distinguished with respect to Al tolerance. Net Al uptake rate was higher in Al tolerant BG35 than in DA14 or IR45. Conversely, in IR45 the absorbed Al was rapidly transported to the shoots and accumulated there. In BG35, net P and Ca uptake rates in Al‐treated plants were high enough to maintain the P and Ca status of the shoots at all Al levels. Irrespective of Al sensitivity, there was a general depression of internal Mg concentration in Al‐reated plants. The Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn concentrations of the plants were not negatively affected by Al in any of the cultivars.     

Accumulation of Mn in Leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis Cultivated in Substrates of Pine Bark

Rosmarinus officinalis is an important aromatic shrub cultivated for medicinal, culinary, and ornamental uses. To assess growth, the contents of trace metals cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) and macronutrients calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) were measured in these plants cultivated on two substrates: pine bark (PB, pH 4.0, 80.5% organic matter) and pruning wastes–biosolids (BS, pH 6.9, 47.5% organic matter). These plants, initially of 3.5 ± 0.5 g dry weight and 31.1 ± 6.9 cm, were maintained under greenhouse conditions for 7 months. Nutrient solution samples were taken from each substrate in situ by rhizon probes, indicating that the concentrations of soluble Mn and Zn in PB were significantly greater than in the nutritive solution BS. At the end of the assay, the dry weight of leaves and height was significantly greater in plants cultivated in BS (40.0 ± 2.2 g and 75.9 ± 14.3 cm) than in PB (27.5 ± 4.0 g and 62.4 ± 10.2 cm). Plants cultivated in PB showed slight chlorosis, attributed to the high concentration of Mn in leaves (106.6 ± 7.8 mg kg^?1), which was much greater than in plants cultivated in BS (8.2 ± 0.9 mg kg^?1). The concentration of toxic metals Cd and Pb in plants cultivated on both substrates did not exceed the recommended levels for consumption of the leaves as condiment. If R. officinalis is cultivated on the substrate of pine bark to acid pH for food or medicinal use, the accumulation of Mn must be considered.     

Metal concentrations,growth, and yield of potato produced from In Vitro plantlets or microtubers and grown in municipal solid‐waste‐amended substrates

In vitro plantlets or microtubers (in vitro produced tubers) of ‘Spunta’ potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) were planted in a 3 soil: 2 peat moss: 1 sand substrate (by volume) amended with municipal solid waste (MS W) compost at 0, 10, 20, or 30 g 4^‐1 L pot. Three months later, plant growth and tuber yield were evaluated and concentrations of shoot and tuber tin (Sn), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), and iron (Fe) were determined. Amending with MSW resulted in significant increases in concentrations of all tested metals in the substrate. Number of proliferated shoots of plants started from rooted plantlets was greatest at 10 g pot^‐1 MSW, whereas shoot weight of plants started from microtubers was greatest at 10 and 20 g pot^‐1 MSW. Tuber yield of plants started from rooted plantlets or microtubers was greatest at 10 or 30 g pot^‐1 MSW, respectively. In all instances, amending with MSW at 30 g pot^‐1 resulted in significant increases in concentrations of all tested metals in shoots and tubers. Concentrations of shoot Ni and tuber Zn and Fe for plants started from rooted plantlets and concentrations of shoot Fe and tuber As, Cu and Pb for plants started from microtubers increased consistently with increasing MSW percentage of the substrate. Plants started from rooted plantlets produced shoots with sufficient Zn, Mn, and Ni concentrations regardless of the substrate but with toxic Cu content at 30 g pot^‐1 MSW. Plants started from microtubers produced shoots with sufficient Mn and Ni concentrations regardless of the substrate but with low Zn and deficient Cu in unamended substrates. All plants had shoot Fe content higher than the sufficiency range. Although there were significant differences in concentrations of some nutrients among MSW treatments, no symptoms of nutrient toxicity or deficiency were observed. In all instances, tested elements did not accumulate in tubers to levels hazardous to human health. Concentrations of Cd, the most hazardous element, in potato tubers was not high enough to pose a threat to human. Our results indicate that there is a potential use of MSW in satisfying the needs of potato growth with negligible increases in heavy metal concentrations in tubers.     

Some effects of fly ash (from coal burning) on bush bean plants grown in solution culture

Abstract

Bush bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L. C. V. Improved Tendergreen) were grown for 14 days in 3700‐ml solution cultures with varying application rates of fly ash from a coal burning plant in California. Plants were also grown in a solution culture experiment in the presence of tiie chelating agent DTPA (diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid) and also in solutions acidified with HCl. The latter treatments were to determine if metals in the fly ash could be made more available to plants. The higher levels of fly ash (5 to 10 g/3700 ml) resulted in increased Ca, B, Si, Sr, and Ba in leaves, stems, and roots. No plants, however, appeared to have an excess of trace metals. In another experiment DTPA and HCl amendments failed to increase greatly the availability of trace metals from the fly ash in solution culture except for Zn. In this experiment the fly ash was the sole source of Ca and plants were deficient in Ca because insufficient fly ash was added. The fly ash resulted in increased Zn, Ca, Fe, Mn, B, Al, Si, Ti, Mo, Li, Sr, Ba in leaves, stems, and roots and increased V, Co, and Ni in roots. There was 3 to 4 μg/g Sn and 0.6 μg/g Be in the roots of plants grown with fly ash. In another experiment, fly ash supplied all the Ca necessary for plant growth without decreased yields resulting from any trace metal.     

Effects of sulfur supply on soybean plants exposed to zinc toxicity

Application of most waste or by‐product material increases the zinc (Zn) concentration in soils markedly. This investigation was conducted to determine if enhanced sulfur (S) supplied as sulfate (SO₄) would modify the toxic effects of excess Zn. Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merf. cv. Rarisorri) was grown for two weeks in nutrient solutions containing ranges in Zn (0.8 to 80 μM) and S (0.02 to 20 mM). Root and shoot conditions were observed, dry weights measured, and Zri concentration determined. Zinc‐toxicity symptoms started about one week after transplanting young plants to nutrient solutions. Symptoms including chlorosis, especially in the trifoliate leaves, and change in orientation of unifoliate leaves were mild in 20 μM‐, intermediate in 40 μM‐, and severe in 80 μM Zn‐containing solutions. Dry weight was reduced in plants exposed to 20, 40, and 80 μM Zn. Plants grown in 40 μM Zn and 20 mM S survived longer than those grown in lower S concentrations and showed alleviation of the chlorosis in trifoliate leaves. The change in the orientation of the unifoliate leaves due to Zn toxicity, however, was not affected by S. Zinc contents in shoots grown at toxic Zn levels were higher in 20 mM‐ than in lower S‐containing nutrient solutions. High S supply (20 mM) increased Zn translocation from roots to shoots. Besides increasing the Zn translocation from roots to shoots, it seems that S nutrition may also be a factor helping the plants to cope with high levels of Zn in their tissues.     

Manganese toxicity alleviated by mycorrhizae in soybean

Abstract

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) plants nodulated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum. Nitragin strain 61A118, were grown with or without the vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus Glomus mosseae (Nicol. Gerd.) Gerd. and Trappe in pot cultures in soil high (40.4 μg/g) in available Mn. Leaves of the nonVAM plants showed severe symptoms of Mn toxicity and had toxic (314 μg/g) concentrations of Mn in the foliage. NonVAM plants had significantly lower dry weights and nodule mass than VAM plants. Concentrations of Mn in the VAM plants were significantly (P<0.05) lower than in the nonVAM plants, and there were no symptoms of Mn toxicity. Both VAM and nonVAM plants had a significant negative correlation between shoot dry mass and leaf Mn concentration. Since levels of Mn increased with increasing VAM‐fungal colonization, we conclude that it was not the VAM condition per se which alleviated Mn toxicity. We suggest that the significantly higher levels of Mn in the leaves (P<0.05) and the roots (P<0.001) of nonVAM plants was due to increased uptake of Mn by the nonVAM plants. This exudation, which are generally observed in nonVAM plants, and to the role of such exudates in solubilizing MnO₂ and chelating the resulting Mn²? for facilitated absorption.     

Effects of Manganese on Uptake and Translocation of Nutrients in a Hyperaccumulator

The effects of manganese (Mn) on the growth and Mn-induced changes in nutrients uptake and translocation in Mn hyperaccumulator Phytolacca acinosa was investigated in this study. Results showed that high Mn (5000 μ M) in culture solution lead to typical Mn toxicity symptoms in leaves of P. acinosa and decrease of dry matter accumulation in shoots whereas there are no obvious toxicity symptoms and significant decrease of dry weight in roots. Manganese accumulation in roots, stems, and leaves increased with the increment of Mn concentration at the medium level. Calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe) concentration in organs of P. acinosa decreased as the Mn concentration in the nutrient solution increased, but the Ca and Mg concentrations were still at a normal level and the Fe concentration at a sufficient level when compared with the normal plants. The Zn concentration affected by higher Mn level occurred only in roots of P. acinosa and the P concentration affected only in stems, whereas there were no significant influences of excess Mn on the potassium (K) and copper (Cu) concentration in organs of P. acinosa.     

Effect of cadmium toxicity on micronutrient concentration,uptake and partitioning in seven rice cultivars

Heavy metal uptake, translocation and partitioning differ greatly among plant cultivars and plant parts. A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effect of cadmium (Cd) levels (0, 45 and 90 mg kg^?1 soil) on dry matter yield, and concentration, uptake and translocation of Cd, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu in seven rice cultivars. Application of 45 mg Cd kg^?1 soil decreased root and shoot dry weight. On average, shoot and root Cd concentrations and uptake increased in all cultivars, but micronutrients uptake decreased following the application of 45 mg Cd kg^?1. No significant differences were observed between 45 and 90 mg kg^?1 Cd levels. On average, Cd treatments resulted in a decrease in Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations in shoots and Zn, Cu and Mn concentrations in roots. Differences were observed in Cd and micronutrient concentrations and uptake among rice cultivars. Translocation factor, defined as the shoot/root concentration ratio indicated that Cu and Fe contents in roots were higher than in shoots. The Mn concentration was much higher in shoots. Zinc concentrations were almost similar in the two organs of rice at 0 and 45 mg Cd kg^?1. A higher Cd level, however, led to a decrease in the Zn concentration in shoots.     

Calcium deficiency and CaCO3 on micronutrient status of plants grown in solution culture

Abstract

Plants were grown in solution culture with different levels of Ca to further evaluate Ca relationships to trace metal uptake and to toxicity of trace metals. When tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum L., Tropic) were grown at a low level of Ca, the Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Al, and Ti concentrations of leaves, stems, and roots were considerably increased. The use of an excess of CaCO₃ which increased pH did not influence the trace metal concentrations of plants any more than did Ca⁺⁺. In a factorial experiment with bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. C.V. Improved Tendergreen) with Ca (10^‐4,10^‐2, 10^‐2 N) and Ni (0, 2 × 10^‐6 M, 2 X10^‐5 M), Ni phytotoxicity and Ni uptake were decreased somewhat at the highest Ca level. High Ni tended to decrease the Ca concentration in leaves. High Ca and Ni both tended to decrease Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn concentrations in leaves. The Ni had some interactions on the P concentrations of shoots.     

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.     

Effects of Lead on Iron,Manganese, and Zinc Concentrations in Different Varieties of Maize (Zea mays)

To investigate the effects of different levels of lead (Pb) on the concentration of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) in Zea mays, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design and 4 × 8 factorial arrangement with three replicates on a calcareous soil in a greenhouse. Factors included four levels of Pb (0 as control, 100, 200, and 400 mg Pb kg^?1 soil) from PbCl₂ source and eight varieties of maize (single cross 260, 301, 302, 500, 604, and 647 and double cross 370). Results showed that the accumulation of Pb was greater in roots than shoots in the maize varieties studied. Increased Pb concentration in soil decreased Mn and Fe in shoot and elevated Fe concentration in roots. The Mn concentration of roots on different levels of Pb was not affected. Zinc concentration of almost all varieties increased in shoots and decreased in roots with the increase of Pb in soil.