Cannabis sativa L. growing on heavy metal contaminated soil: growth, cadmium uptake and photosynthesis

• Published in: Biologia plantarum Vol. 49; no. 4
• Main Authors: Linger, P.(Bergische Univ. of Wuppertal (Germany). Physiological Chemistry of Plants)E-mail:linger@pinea.de, Ostwald, A.(Bergische Univ. of Wuppertal (Germany). Physiological Chemistry of Plants), Haensler, J.(Heinrich Heine Univ., Duesseldorf (Germany). Geobotany)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CADMIO; CADMIUM; CANNABIS SATIVA; CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION; CHLOROPHYLLE; CHLOROPHYLLS; CLOROFILAS; CONTAMINACION QUIMICA; CONTAMINATION CHIMIQUE; CRECIMIENTO; CROISSANCE; FACULTE GERMINATIVE; FEUILLE; FLUORESCENCE; FLUORESCENCIA; FOTOSINTESIS; FOTOSISTEMAS; GERMINABILITY; GROWTH; HOJAS; INHIBICION; INHIBITION; LEAVES; PH DEL SUELO; PH DU SOL; PHOTOSYNTHESE; PHOTOSYNTHESIS; PHOTOSYSTEME; PHOTOSYSTEMS; PODER GERMINATIVO; POLLUTED SOIL; POLLUTION DU SOL; POLUCION DEL SUELO; RACINE; RAICES; ROOTS; SEASONAL VARIATION; SOIL PH; SOIL POLLUTION; SOL POLLUE; STEMS; SUELO CONTAMINADO; TALLOS; TIGE; VARIACION ESTACIONAL; VARIATION SAISONNIERE; VIABILIDAD; VIABILITE; VIABILITY; XILEMA; XYLEM; XYLEME
• ISSN: 0006-3134; 1573-8264

The effects of different Cd concentrations (17 and 72 mg/kg) in soil on Cannabis sativa growth and photosynthesis were examined. Hemp roots showed a high tolerance to Cd (more than 800 mg/kg of dry matter). In leaves and stems, already 50-100 mg Cd/kg of dry matter had a strong effect on plant viability. Cd uptake was influenced by soil pH. Seasonal changes in photosynthesis were visible in control plants and plants growing on soil with 17 mg Cd/kg. Photosynthesis and energy dissipation were negatively influenced by 72 mg Cd/kg soil. Cd had detrimental effects on chlorophyll synthesis, water splitting apparatus, reaction centre, antenna and energy distribution of PS 2. Under moderate Cd concentrations, i.e. 17 mg Cd/kg soil, hemp could preserve growth as well as the photosynthesis apparatus, long-term acclimation to a chronical Cd stress occurred.