The peculiarities of lead and cadmium uptake by barley (Hordeum vulgare l.) in the presence of edta in the medium

Abstract

Phytoremediation is a cost-effective and safety technology for cleaning contaminated soils. For phytoextraction of toxic metal as lead (Pb) the main limiting factor is the limited solubility and uptake by plant roots. One of the ways to improve phytoavailability of Pb is the use of chelating agents such as EDTA. It was studied the effects of EDTA on Pb uptake by barley plants parts. The anionic form of Pb [Pb-EDTA] 2- is absorbed in lower amounts by excised roots compared with roots of whole plants and compared with the cationic form (Pb2+) of excised roots. It was established that the concentration of Pb in the roots and aerial parts of the whole plant in the presence of EDTA exceeds the content of this metal in excised roots and aboveground organs. Metal ions are absorbed by plant roots and aerial parts to a greater extent as compared with variants with excised roots and aerial parts. It is explained by participation of transpiration in the process of metal translocation. This confirms the significant role of transpiration in the absorption of anionic form of lead. Similar results in variants with cadmium are received.