Investigation of Cadmium uptake and its Effect on the Composition of Nutrient Elements and some Quantitative Indices in Seedlings of two Species of C. aronia and J. polycarpos in the Western part of Iran

Background: Phytoremediation is a method in which plants are used to absorb pollutants. Heavy metals, through competition with nutrients elements, have a significant effect on their distribution in the plant. Methods: In this study, seedlings were exposed to different concentrations (0.50, 100 and 150 ppm) of cadmium nitrate during a growing period in a completely random design with three replications. Then the value of cadmium uptake was measured by atomic absorption device in different organs of c.aronia and j. polycarpos (root, stem and leaf). Results: The obtained results of the analysis of variance showed traits such as stem length, basal diameter, and root length were significantly affected by cadmium metal (P < 0.01).It was also observed that cadmium accumulation in the root and aerial parts of the plant increased with increasing cadmium concentration, and cadmium accumulation in the root tissues was higher in all treatments than aerial parts. In addition, heavy metals reduced the concentration of all nutrientelements in leaves and stems of seedlings. Conclusion: According to the results, Seedlings of c.aronia and j. polycarpos can be suggested as stabilizing varieties for remediation of Cadmium polluted soils. It is worth to note that j. polycarpos, in comparison with c.aronia, is better absorbent of Cadmium.