Heavy metal absorption status of five plant species in monoculture and intercropping

• Published in: Plant and soil Vol. 345; no. 1/2; pp. 237 - 245
• Main Authors: An, Lingyao, Pan, Yanhui, Wang, Zhubing, Zhu, Cheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.08.2011; Springer Netherlands; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Absorption; Acid soils; Agricultural practices; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Bioremediation; Brassica; Cabbages; Cadmium; Clover; Copper; Corn; Cropping systems. Cultivation. Soil tillage; Ecology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities. Cropping systems and patterns; Heavy metal content; Heavy metals; Herbs; Intercropping; Lead; Life Sciences; Lycopersicon esculentum; Metal concentrations; Monoculture; Phytoremediation; Plant ecology; Plant growth; Plant Physiology; Plant roots; Plant Sciences; Plant species; Plants; Regular Article; Soil and water pollution; Soil contamination; Soil pollution; Soil science; Soil Science & Conservation; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Tomatoes; Zea mays; Japan; China; INW, Japan; Safe production; Intercropping; Heavy metal; Monoculture; Phytoremediation; Status; Cropping system; Biological method; Plant; Absorption; Production; Bioremediation; Soil plant relation
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1007/s11104-011-0775-1

Absorption ability for heavy metals varies among plant species. This study is to evaluate the absorption characteristics of different plant species and planting patterns for heavy metals. Five plant species (tomato, maize, greengrocery, cabbage, and Japan clover herb) were cultivated in monoculture and in intercropping in soil contaminated with heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, and Fe), to determine the absorption status. Tomato absorbs greater amounts of heavy metals (especially Cd). Furthermore, accumulation of heavy metals increased when tomato was intercropped with other plant species. Maize accumulates greater amounts of Cr, Cu, and Fe. The heavy metal concentrations were reduced when maize was intercropped. Cd and Pb accumulated more in roots of Japan Clover Herb, and the levels of all five heavy metals decreased when intercropped. Tomato intercropping is a feasible method for phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil, and maize intercropping is feasible for obtaining safe harvest which can be eaten securely.