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Germination characteristics of Peganum harmala L. (Nitrariaceae) subjected to heavy metals: implications for the use in polluted dryland restoration

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Abstract

Phytoremediation is an effective and low-cost technique for the rehabilitation and cleanup of lands polluted with heavy metals. Selection of native plant species could avoid the ecological risks that are associated with the usage of non-native species. However, utilizing native species in phytoremediation and restoration of lands polluted by heavy metals requires information about their seed germinability and propagation requirements. The aim of this work was to assess the effects of four heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, lead and zinc) on the germination and early seedling growth of Peganum harmala L., a native Mediterranean species that has the potential to restore arid degraded lands. The results display that the germination characteristics (percent seed germination and Timson’s index) and growth parameters (hypocotyl and radicle lengths) worsened as the concentrations of all the heavy metals increased. Cadmium was found to be the most toxic element regarding these parameters, with toxicity decreasing in the following pattern: Cd > Pb > Cr > Zn. Radicle growth was more affected by the heavy metals compared to hypocotyl growth and the seedlings appeared to be more resistant to Zn. The germination ability of P. harmala over a wide range of heavy metals suggests that this species can grow easily in polluted soils.

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Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the financial support of the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, through PRFU Project # D04N01UN170120200001. I would like to thank E. Saidani, for his technical assistance in the laboratory. Thanks are also due to Dr. D.J. Walker, Instituto Murciano de Investigación y Desarrollo Agricola y Alimentario, Murcia (Spain), for correction of the written English in the manuscript. Finally, I would like to extend my gratitude to Prof. M. Abbaspour and anonymous referees for their insightful comments, which improved earlier version of manuscript.

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  1. Laboratory of Exploration and Valorization of Steppe Ecosystem, Faculty of Science of Nature and Life, University Ziane Achour of Djelfa, Cité Aîn Chih, P.O. Box 3117, 17000, Djelfa, Algeria

    B. Nedjimi

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Nedjimi, B. Germination characteristics of Peganum harmala L. (Nitrariaceae) subjected to heavy metals: implications for the use in polluted dryland restoration. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 17, 2113–2122 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-019-02600-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-019-02600-3

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