Dittrichia viscosa Selection Strategy Based on Stress Produces Stable Clonal Lines for Phytoremediation Applications

Abstract

Dittrichia viscosa uptake and translocation of the metalloid As is not fully understood and some data are contradictory, but its adaptability to this pollutant is known and is dependent on its genetic variability. D. viscosa is not a hyperaccumulator plant, but it can grow in high-drought conditions while still producing large biomass, even tolerating significant concentrations of As3+ and As5+. In spite of these remarkable characteristics, adaptive modification of performances is not predictable in wild populations. In previous work, we established experimental clonal populations to perform a functional study on the aquaporin NIP1.1. Here, we propose a strategy to select a clonal population of D. viscosa with a defined phenotype related to As tolerance and to reduced NIP1.1 expression levels for phytoremediation applications. From the previous work, we selected four independent clones, two of them belonging to the weak population (W8 and W9) and the other two belonging to the strong population (S1 and S3). The weak and strong populations differ for a different expression ratio root/shoot of DvNip1;1 that brings a different tolerance to As presence. The stress response of the populations, revealed by the CAT enzymatic test, was statistically correlated to the clones, but not to As uptake. Performance of the selected plants on a second unrelated metallic pollutant, Cd, was evaluated, showing that Cd uptake is also independent from the tolerant phenotype. In vitro culture methods using solid media and temporary immersion bioreactors were compared to propose an optimized combined protocol. The procedure yielded propagation of genetically stable tolerant clonal lines with good uptake of As and Cd. The plants, mass-produced with the developed in vitro protocol, were able to maintain their acquired abilities and are potentially able be later applied in phytoremediation or contaminated areas’ re-naturalization.

Current Status of Biotechnological Approaches to Enhance the Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals in India—A Review

“…The expression of DvNip1.1 in D. viscosa clonal lines cultivated under different stressful conditions was also observed, and the proportion of DvNip1.1 translation levels found in both shoots and roots is suggested as a plausible selective marker for recognizing highly resistant D. viscosa plants [101]. Previously Anglana et al [102] investigated D. viscosa's ability to absorb, translocate, and proliferate in different levels of Cd 2+ , As 3+, and As 5+ . In fact, for As and Cd, we found opposing patterns of phytoextraction from the aerial portion and biological concentration in the roots.…”

Farmyard Manure Enhances Phytoremediation and Mitigates Pb, Cd, and Drought Stress in Ryegrass

“…Then the second set of leaf samples was heated for 10 min at 100 • C and then the EC2 was noted. The MSI values were calculated by the following Equation (1).…”

“…Heavy metals (HMs) pollution has become a threat and challenge in the world due to rapid industrialization. The inefficient and uncontrolled use of agricultural inputs (such as pesticides and fertilizers) and the application of wastewater for irrigation increases the levels of HMs in the food chains [1]. HMs are very toxic even in small concentrations and ultimately affect the health of human beings [2].…”

Correction: Anglana et al. Dittrichia viscosa Selection Strategy Based on Stress Produces Stable Clonal Lines for Phytoremediation Applications. Plants 2023, 12, 2499

“…In the original publication [ 1 ], there was a mistake in the list of authors. A correction has been made to the list of authors (Page 1):…”