Evaluation of cotton burdock (Arctium tomentosum Mill.) responses to multi-metal exposure.

Plants have immense potential for their use in the minimization of emerging environmental pollution issues. Under simulated laboratory conditions, this work investigated the growth and biochemical responses of 14-day-old cotton burdock (Arctium tomentosum Mill.) seedlings to the body burdens of multi-metals including Pb, Cu, Ni, and Zn (1.0 μM-10 mM). Biochemical traits (superoxide generation, lipid peroxidation, content of total peroxides), growth traits (axial organs growth, dry weight accumulation, leaf area), and also metal body burdens varied with types and concentrations of metals. Results indicated a significant tolerance of A. tomentosum to multi-metals that can be implicated for its potential role in the metal phytoremediation programs.