Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2010, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (10): 1220-1226.DOI: 10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2010.10.011

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of cadmium stress on growth and nutrient accumulation, distribution and utilization in Osmanthus fragrans var. thunbergii

WU Fu-Zhong, YANG Wan-Qin*(), ZHANG Jian, ZHOU Li-Qiang   

  1. Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory of Ecological Forestry Engineering, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an, Sichuan 625014, China
  • Received:2009-12-21 Accepted:2010-03-01 Online:2010-12-21 Published:2010-10-31
  • Contact: YANG Wan-Qin

Abstract:

Aims The valuable ornamental plant Osmanthus fragrans var. thunbergii is grown in city gardens and on roadsides in the regions of the Yangtze River Basin, where often it has been contaminated with cadmium. Our objective was to characterize the effects of different cadmium stresses on (a) biomass production, (b) C, N and P accumulation and distribution patterns and (c) N and P use efficiency in O. fragrans var. thunbergii.

Methods A controlled pot-experiment was arranged with different treatments of five cadmium concentrations (CK: 0, I: 25, II:50, III: 100, and IV: 200 mg·kg-1). One-year old O. fragrans var. thunbergii was cultivated in the pots. Biomass production and concentrations of C, N and P in plant components were measured over one growing season. Biomass, distribution of C, N and P and N and P use efficiency were calculated.

Important findings Treatments with higher cadmium concentrations (II, III and IV) significantly decreased O. fragrans var. thunbergii biomass and C, N and P accumulation, as well as altered their distribution patterns, but the treatment with lower cadmium concentration (I) had no significant effects. Treatments with lower cadmium concentrations (I, II and III) increased N use efficiency but decreased P use efficiency, and both the lowest N and P use efficiencies were observed under the treatment with the highest cadmium concentration (IV). Results suggest that O. fragrans var. thunbergii could efficiently adapt to cadmium-contaminated environments by altering nutrient use strategy and biomass distribution pattern.

Key words: cadmium, growth, heavy mental stress, nutrients utilization, Osmanthus fragrans var. thunbergii