Cadmium Tolerance During Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Schinus molle (Anacardiaceae)

• Published in: Floresta e ambiente Vol. 27; no. 2
• Main Authors: Baroni, Gabriel de Resende, Pereira, Márcio Paulo, Corrêa, Felipe Fogaroli, Castro, Evaristo Mauro de, Pereira, Fabrício José
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Instituto de Florestas da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro 01-01-2020; Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro
• Subjects: endodermis; heavy metals; pepper tree; phytoremediation; PLANT SCIENCES; seed anatomy; endodermis; phytoremediation; heavy metals; seed anatomy; pepper tree
• ISSN: 1415-0980; 2179-8087; 2179-8087
• DOI: 10.1590/2179-8087.050217

Abstract Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic elements to plants, so Cd-tolerant trees should be used in reforestation or remediation systems. In this study the effects of Cd on seed germination and early seedling growth were evaluated in Schinus molle plants. Seeds of S. molle were treated with Cd at concentrations of 0 (control), 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, and 0.125 mM using Cd(NO3)2. Seed germination parameters and seedling growth traits were evaluated 33 days after the experiment started. Seeds and roots were sampled for anatomical evaluation and processed with plant microtechniques. No effects of Cd were found on the germination percentage of S. molle seeds. However, seedlings’ shoot and root fresh masses and lengths increased with Cd treatment. Cadmium increased root cortex and endodermis thickness and reduced the percentage of vascular tissues in seedlings. Schinus molle seeds and seedlings thus showed tolerance to Cd related to anatomical adaptations.