Phytoremediation potential of , , and grown in cadmium-polluted soils.

To assess the cadmium (Cd) phytoremediation of three native plant species from Padeang zinc (Zn) mine area (, , and ), a hydroponic experiment was performed in nutrient solutions containing various concentrations of Cd (0, 5, 10, 20, and 50 mg L) for 15 days. In the hydroponic experiment, showed significantly higher total Cd content than those grown in 50 mg L Cd solutions. Only and were chosen for the pot experiment. The plants were grown in spiked Cd-contaminated soils for 90 days, with different concentrations of Cd (0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg kg). The results from the pot experiment revealed that both species accumulated more Cd in their root parts, with translocation factor values < 1. exhibited the highest biomass production, relative growth rate, and Cd uptake or removal. The findings of the study clearly demonstrate the best uptake of in Cd phytoremediation. Even though have been reported as a Cd accumulator but the assessment of these species by nutrient medium and the soil was not undertaken so far. The discovery of new Cd-accumulator plants has been hindered by the lack of efficient assessing. To assess the suitability of specific species of tropical plants that are able to uptake high amounts of Cd without risk of toxicity under conditions similar to the actual field study, is a novelty.