Response of Cajanus cajan to excess copper in the soil: tolerance and biomass production

Author(s)

da Silva, Mariana Bocchi ; Pires Bomfim, Nayane Cristina ; da Silva, Victor Navarro ; Frachia, Caroline de Lima ; de Souza, Lucas Anjos ; Justino, Gilberto Costa ; de Camargos, Liliane Santos

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANTS; v. 28, n. 6, p. 11-pg., 2022-07-08.

Abstract

Soil contamination by excess heavy metals or trace elements is a global concern, as these elements are highly bioaccumulated in living organisms, migrating throughout the food chain, and causing health problems. Sustainable technologies, using plants, have been increasingly studied and used to contain, reduce, or extract these elements from the soil. In this sense, it is essential to identify plant species that tolerate certain elements, present high biomass production and are resistant to adverse soil conditions. For this reason, we evaluated the biomass production and tolerance of Cajanus cajan in response to different concentrations of copper (30, 60, 120, and 240 mg/dm(3), in addition to the control treatment) in the soil, as well as the effect of this metal on photosynthetic pigments and gas exchange. C. cajan was sown in soil previously contaminated with copper sulfate and cultivated in a greenhouse for 60 days after emergence. C. cajan is copper tolerant, approximately 88% copper is accumulated in the roots and therefore there is low copper translocation to the shoot, consequently, the chlorophyll content, the net photosynthesis rate, carbon assimilation, dry biomass, the root system development, and nodulation were not affected by copper. C. cajan can be explored in strategies to improve soil conditions and is a promising species in soil phytoremediation studies. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/01498-6 - Evaluation of the phytoremediation potential of tropical legumes in soils contaminated with copper, boron and manganese
• Grantee: Liliane Santos de Camargos
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/09567-9 - Evaluation of the phytoremediation potential of leguminous trees in soil contaminated with lead (Pb) and their combined use with Stizolobium aterrimum, a forage Pb-tolerant
• Grantee: Liliane Santos de Camargos
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/01234-9 - Growth capacity, nodulation and phytoremediation potential for Cajanus cajan in cupper contaminated soils
• Grantee: Mariana Bocchi da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation