The fern Pteris vittata is a known arsenic hyper accumulating plant. Its potential for phytoremediation of contaminated soils has been assessed in a number of studies, mainly at laboratory or glasshouse scale. The few field surveys reported in the literature indicate that the characteristics of the site (As levels, climate, soil properties etc.) and growth conditions (plant density, fertilization, growth/harvest cycles, etc.) may strongly affect As uptake as well as biomass production. Here we report the first-year results of a small-scale field study with P. vittata carried out in an experimental plot with a moderate As contamination, aimed at evaluating the feasibility of a phytoremediation intervention on the wider area that includes the plot, and on similar sites. The study area is located in north-eastern Italy. The experimental design was planned to compare and evaluate the effect of different conditions on plant growth and As uptake. Ferns, pre-inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in order to enhance biomass production, were planted in early summer 2011 in nine experimental plots about 240x240 cm wide, with different plant density (about 6, 8 and 11 plants/m2) and subjected to different fertilizer additions. After the first growth cycle, ended in December 2011, fronds were harvested and the plants were covered for the winter period, before a second growth cycle. Arsenic bioaccumulation in fronds and biomass yield were measured, in order to assess As removal efficiency, to determine the optimal conditions for As phytoextraction and to plan the experimental activities for the second year.

Effect of experimental and environmental conditions on As phytoextraction by Pteris vittata: first-year results of a field study

BETTIOL, Cinzia;MINELLO, FABIOLA;GOBBO, Lorena;BECHERINI, FEDERICA;ARGESE, Emanuele
2012-01-01

Abstract

The fern Pteris vittata is a known arsenic hyper accumulating plant. Its potential for phytoremediation of contaminated soils has been assessed in a number of studies, mainly at laboratory or glasshouse scale. The few field surveys reported in the literature indicate that the characteristics of the site (As levels, climate, soil properties etc.) and growth conditions (plant density, fertilization, growth/harvest cycles, etc.) may strongly affect As uptake as well as biomass production. Here we report the first-year results of a small-scale field study with P. vittata carried out in an experimental plot with a moderate As contamination, aimed at evaluating the feasibility of a phytoremediation intervention on the wider area that includes the plot, and on similar sites. The study area is located in north-eastern Italy. The experimental design was planned to compare and evaluate the effect of different conditions on plant growth and As uptake. Ferns, pre-inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in order to enhance biomass production, were planted in early summer 2011 in nine experimental plots about 240x240 cm wide, with different plant density (about 6, 8 and 11 plants/m2) and subjected to different fertilizer additions. After the first growth cycle, ended in December 2011, fronds were harvested and the plants were covered for the winter period, before a second growth cycle. Arsenic bioaccumulation in fronds and biomass yield were measured, in order to assess As removal efficiency, to determine the optimal conditions for As phytoextraction and to plan the experimental activities for the second year.
2012
9th International Phytotechnology Society Conference - Book of Abstracts
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10278/33993
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