The Absorption and Metabolism of Heavy Metals and Mineral Matters in the Halophyte Plant Artemisia aucheri

Abstract

To our knowledge there has been no research on Artemisia aucheri as a halophyte plant, when grown in cadmium (Cd) contaminated soils. We tried to quantify the ability of A. aucheri in uptake of Cd and some nutrients in contaminated soil. In a pot culture experiment, five levels of Cd concentration were tested by adding 15, 30, 60, 120 and 240 mg of Cd per kilogram of dried soil. Plants were harvested and analyzed for Cd, N, P, K, Mg, Mn, Cu, Fe and Zn uptake. Depression in biomass production of plants as a result of excess Cd was observed. Cadmium concentration in plant shoots plant increased with increasing Cd supply significantly affecting the content of plant nutrients. Cd excess amounts increased macronutrients and decreased micronutrients concentrations in plant.