Phytoextraction of cadmium contaminated soils by ornamental plant: growth response, tolerance index and accumulation

Cadmium (Cd) contaminated soil is a global concern and restoration of contaminated soil is challenging due to its persistence and non-biodegradability. In this study the phytoextraction capability of ornamental plant (Pelargonium zonale) for remediating Cd contaminated soil was assessed. For this purpose, culture experiment was carried out, soil was spiked with various levels of Cd (0 – 150 mg kg-1). After 1 month of spiking, pots were filled with spiked and control soils, 15 days old healthy seedlings of P. zonale were transplanted in all pots and grown for 2 months under greenhouse conditions, harvested and analyzed for different parameters such as Cd concentration in shoots/roots, tolerance index (Ti), Cd uptake, translocation factor (TF) and bioconcentration factor (BCF). The results showed that P. zonale survived at highest Cd levels and Ti was more than 60%. Furthermore, the TF and BCF was more than 1 and Cd accumulation in the shoots was more than 100 mg kg-1. This study showed that P. zonale has great capability for restoring Cd contaminated soils.