Anti-oxidative defences and Cd accumulation in Nicotiana tabacum, Brassica juncea and Solanum nigrum

Abstract

Agricultural soils in many parts of the world are moderately or even severely contaminated with Cd due to long-term use of phosphatic fertilizers or sewage sludge applications. Cd is not an essential element and represents a risk in the environment due to its toxicity towards humans, animals and plants. In the present study, the use of N. tabacum, B. juncea and S. nigrum to extract Cd from a soil was investigated. The results indicated the ability of these plants to remove Cd from the contaminated soil, with S. nigrum presenting the highest concentrations of Cd in shoots and roots for the higher Cd soil concentration.