Growth and cadmium accumulation in selected switchgrass cultivars

Authors:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has potential as a sustainable biofuel crop. Utilizing alternative sources of fertilizer nutrients could enhance production of switchgrass. However, alternative sources of fertilizer such as sewage sludge sometimes contain heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd) and the response of switchgrass to Cd is not known. Four switchgrass cultivars (Alamo, Blackwell, Cave‐in‐Rock, and Trailblazer) grown in sand culture were watered twice weekly with a nutrient solution containing Cd. Cadmium levels in solution were 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 mg Cd L‐1. Plants were harvested 63 d after planting and separated into leaf blade, stem (culm + leaf sheath), and root components. Tissue Cd concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Cultivars differed (P‐1 reduced biomass yields by 31% for roots, 39% for leaf blades, and 47% for stems as compared to no added Cd. At 16 mg Cd L‐1, Cd concentration in leaf blades was 9.9 mg kg‐1. The highest levels of Cd (329 mg kg‐1) were found in roots of Blackwell and Trailblazer grown at the highest Cd level. Cadmium at 16 mg Cd L‐1 is phytotoxic to switchgrass and accumulates in all plant parts. The cultivars tested in this study did not differ in biomass accumulation in response to Cd; however, Cd accumulation in plant parts differed among cultivars. Consideration of Cd uptake should be a part of switchgrass cultivar selection when grown in the presence of Cd.

This publication has 19 references indexed in Scilit: