Comparative studies of copper tolerance and uptake by three plant species of the genus elsholtzia.

Solution culture experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of excessive Cu on the seed germination and growth of three plant species of the genus Elsholtzia (Elsholtzia haichowensis, Elsholtzia aypriani and Elsholtzia ciliata), and to compare Cu uptake and tolerance mechanisms of the three plants. The results showed that E. haichowensis had higher tolerance to excessive Cu than E. aypriani and E. ciliata, and that the adaptive Cu tolerance mechanism in E. haichowensis might involve the active participation of proteins.