Growth performance, tolerance and vigor dynamics of Salvia candidissima subsp. occidentalis Hedge against heavy metal contamination

Abstract

In this study, ecotoxicological and ecophysiological effects of some different heavy metal compounds (CdCl2, PbCl2, and CuCl2) on Salvia candidissima subsp. occidentalis Hedge (Lamiaceae) were examined. Seeds of this plant were exposed to three different concentrations of CdCl2 (2, 6, 10 ppm), PbCl2 (50, 100, 500 ppm), and CuCl2 (20, 60, 150 ppm). The results indicated that increasing CdCl2 and PbCl2 concentrations had no specific inhibitory impacts on seed germination rates, growth performance, biomass, and seedling vigor index, but increasing concentrations of CuCl2 had significant inhibitory effects on these parameters. The metal tolerance index of all applications showed that all heavy metal treatments reduce this value.