Use of species with high biomass production as potential phytoremediation agents in soils contaminated with boron, copper, iron, zinc and manganese

Abstract

The present proposal aims to evaluate the tolerance and phytoremediation potential of native legume species, with herbaceous and arboreal habits, and cultivated species, from different botanical families, all previously characterized as tolerant to one or more potentially toxic elements: Canavalia ensiformis, Cajanus cajan, Leucaena leucocephala, cotton and sorghum. Conditions of soil contamination by potentially toxic elements will be investigated, in adequate concentrations, they are required in the metabolism (boron, copper, iron, zinc and manganese), but which has been presenting problems of contamination in some areas either by inadequate agricultural practices or intensive use of the area. The proposal will use an approach to characterize maximum doses tolerated by each plant (experiments in a greenhouse), tissue location of the element, expression of metallothioneins and further evaluation of the potential use of species with greater potential in field experiments. (AU)