Influences on to Nutrient Uptake of Lead, Chromium and Cadmium Toxicity in Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) Plant and Linear Regression Analyses

Abstract

Mining, urban or industrial solid, gas and liquid wastes, pesticide and artificial fertilizer use, paint industry and car exhaust gases cause the release of heavy metals to the nature. This heavy metal stress caused by environmental pollutants limits the growth of plants and reduces product yield and quality. At the same time, heavy metal stress interferes uptake, transport, and utilization of plant nutrients by plants. Consequently, this study was performed to evaluate toxicity and tolerance of lead, cadmium and chromium in switchgrass that can adapt to a wide range of habitats and climates. In order to determine the effects of heavy metals on the nutrient uptake, the switchgrass plant (Panicum virgatum L.) was grown in artificially contaminated soil with different concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cr solutions. The changes in macro- and micro-nutrient contents in the switchgrass as affected by the different concentrations of the applied metals were evaluated. Although chromium, cadmium and lead have phytotoxic effect and are non-essential elements for plants, it was observed that these elements easily absorbed and accumulated in the aboveground parts of switchgrass. In general, it was found that macro- and micro-nutrient concentrations in the switchgrass were significantly or relatively decreased in different doses of Pb, Cd and Cr applications. Only Ca concentrations in the plant increased significantly with the applied different Pb doses, due to the competition of Ca2+ and Pb2+ for introduction to stem cells. However, the obtained results were interpreted using linear regression and Pearson correlation.