Heavy metal accumulation in geranium (Pelargonium hortorum) and effects on growth and quality of plants

ORROÑO, D. I.; LAVADO, R.S

AGROCHIMICA (PISA)

IST CHIMICA AGRARIA

Lugar: Pisa; Año: 2011

0002-1857

Growth of Pelargonium hortorum plants was influenced by both sets of metals in soil. Exposure to both sets of HM induced a decrease in shoot and root dry weight. In addition, RGR in metal treatments were significantly lower than those found in the control treatments. Experiment B was more affected than experiment A but it can not be ascribed to more phytotoxiity of the combination of Cr, Cd and Ni than the combination of Cu, Pb and Zn, probably may be due to the different growth conditions. The higher the concentration of heavy metal in the soil, the greater was the toxic effect on the plant. Furthermore, plants ornamental quality was severely affected, mainly leaf and flower production especially at HL treatments. The significantly reduction on plants biomass in addition to the storage of metals mainly in roots and restricted transfer to the aerial parts in both experiments suggested that in contrast to other members of the genus, P. hortorum is not hyperaccumulator. Thus, P. hortorum can’t be considered to be a species with potential for phytoextraction purposes.