Phytoextraction of excess soil phosphorus

Environ Pollut. 2007 Mar;146(1):120-7. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2006.06.006. Epub 2006 Aug 10.

Abstract

In the search for a suitable plant to be used in P phytoremediation, several species belonging to legume, vegetable and herb crops were grown in P-enriched soils, and screened for P accumulation potentials. A large variation in P concentrations of different plant species was observed. Some vegetable species such as cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and yellow squash (Cucurbita pepo var. melopepo) were identified as potential P accumulators with >1% (dry weight) P in their shoots. These plants also displayed a satisfactory biomass accumulation while growing on a high concentration of soil P. The elevated activities of phosphomonoesterase and phytase were observed when plants were grown in P-enriched soils, this possibly contributing to high P acquisition in these species. Sunflower plants also demonstrated an increased shoot P accumulation. This study shows that the phytoextraction of phosphorus can be effective using appropriate plant species.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 6-Phytase / metabolism
  • Biodegradation, Environmental*
  • Biomass
  • Biotransformation
  • Fabaceae / growth & development
  • Fabaceae / metabolism
  • Helianthus / growth & development
  • Helianthus / metabolism
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Phosphorus / metabolism*
  • Plant Development
  • Plants / metabolism*
  • Plants, Edible / growth & development
  • Plants, Edible / metabolism
  • Soil Pollutants / metabolism*
  • Vegetables / growth & development
  • Vegetables / metabolism

Substances

  • Soil Pollutants
  • Phosphorus
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases
  • 6-Phytase