Intercropping of Sonchus asper and Vicia faba affects plant cadmium accumulation and root responses

doi:10.1016/S1002-0160(17)60484-3

Pedosphere

Volume 30, Issue 4, August 2020, Pages 457-465

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1002-0160(17)60484-3 Get rights and content

Abstract

The cadmium (Cd) pollution of farmland soil is serious in the world. The present study investigated the effects of intercropping Vicia faba and the hyperaccumulator Sonchus asper on the Cd accumulation and root responses (morphology and secreted organic acids) of plants grown on soil from a mining area in Yunnan Province, China, under different Cd stress levels (0, 50, 100, and 200 mg kg^–1). Intercropping increased the biomass of both S. asper and V. faba, as well as the Cd accumulation and Cd transfer coefficient from roots to shoots of S. asper, but decreased those of V. faba in the 200 mg kg^–1 Cd treatment. The Cd concentrations in roots, shoots, and grains from intercropped V. faba plants were positively correlated (P < 0.05) with the N,N-diethyl phenylacetamide-extractable Cd content in soil. In the 50 mg kg^–1 Cd treatment, intercropping decreased citric and malic acids in root secretions of S. asper. Intercropped V. faba secreted more citric, oxalic, acetic, and malic acid compared with S. asper. Intercropping also increased root length and root surface area of both S. asper and V. faba. At 50 mg kg^–1 Cd, root length for S. asper was higher than that at 0 mg kg^–1 Cd, whereas V. faba roots had significantly decreased length and mean diameter. Intercropping of S. asper and V. faba is suggested as an in situ phytoremediation strategy of Cd-contaminated soils and may improve the food quality of V. faba.

REFERENCES (41)

L Liu et al.
Plant coexistence can enhance phytoextraction of cadmium by tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) in contaminated soil
J Environ Sci
(2011)
Q Luo et al.
Metabonomics study on root exudates of cadmium hyperaccumulator Sedum Alfredii
Chin J Anal Chem
(2015)
S W Nie et al.
Use of Life Cycle Assessment methodology for determining phytoremediation potentials of maize-based cropping systems in fields with nitrogen fertilizer over-dose
J Cleaner Prod
(2010)
L Bouttier et al.
Vertical root separation and light interception in a temperate tree-based intercropping system of Eastern Canada
Agroforest Syst
(2014)
Z H Chen et al.
Zinc and cadmium uptake from a metalliferous soil by a mixed culture of Athyrium yokoscense and Arabis flagellosa
Soil Sci Plant Nutr
(2009)
P N Chiang et al.
Effects of cadmium amendments on low-molecular-weight organic acid exudates in rhizosphere soils of tobacco and sunflower
Environ Toxi
(2006)
Z H Ding et al.
Extraction of heavy metals and mineral elements in agricultural soils around mine area using biodegradable and non-biodegradable chelators
J Agro-Environ Sci (in Chinese)
(2008)
Y Dong et al.
Relationship between rhizosphere microbial community functional diversity and faba bean fusarium wilt occurrence in wheat and faba bean intercropping system
Acta Ecol Sin (in Chinese)
(2013)
J J Dytrtová et al.
The effect of low-molecular-weight organic acids on cadmium assay using diffusive gradient in thin film technique
Chem Listy
(2009)
B Gove et al.
Uptake of metals by plants sharing a rhizosphere with the hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens
Int J Phytoremediat
(2002)

H Z Hao et al.

The intercropping influence on heavy metal uptake for hyperaccumulators

Y R Hao et al.

Interaction of roots and rhizosphere in the wheat-maize intercropping system

Rural Eco-Environ (in Chinese)

(2003)

L Hei et al.

Effect of co-planting of Sedum alfredii and Zea mays on Zn-contaminated sewage sludge

Environ Sci (in Chinese)

(2007)

Y Z Huang et al.

The remediation technology and remediation practice of heavy metal-contaminated soil

J Agro-Environ Sci (in Chinese)

(2013)

Y Z Huang et al.

Absorption and accumulation of Pb, Cd by corn, lupin and chickpea in intercropping systems

Acta Ecol Sin (in Chinese)

(2006)

H Knörzer et al.

The rediscovery of intercropping in China: A traditional cropping system for future Chinese agriculture—a review

L Li et al.

Diversity enhances agricultural productivity via rhizosphere phosphorus facilitation on phosphorus-deficient soils

Proc Natl Acad Sci USA

(2007)

N Y Li et al.

Effects of intercropping different crops with maize on the Cd uptake by maize

Chin J Appl Ecol (in Chinese)

(2008)

N Y Li et al.

Cadmium uptake from soil by maize with intercrops

Water Air Soil Pollut

(2009)

W C Li et al.

Metal mobilization and production of short-chain organic acids by rhizosphere bacteria associated with a Cd/Zn hyperaccumulating plant, Sedum alfredii

Plant Soil

(2010)

Cited by (32)

Combining biochar and grass-legume mixture to improve the phytoremediation of soils contaminated with potentially toxic elements (PTEs)
2024, Heliyon
The combination of soil amendments with plants can be a viable option for restoring the functionality of PTEs-contaminated soils. Soil recovery could be further optimized through the mixed cropping of plant species (e.g. legumes and grasses) with different physiological characteristics. The aim of this study was to assess the phytoremediation ability of Vicia villosa Roth. And Lolium rigidum Gaud. Grown alone or in mixture in a soil contaminated with PTEs (C), i.e. Cd (23 mg kg⁻¹), Pb (4473 mg kg⁻¹) and Zn (3147 mg kg⁻¹), and amended with 3% biochar (C + B). Biochar improved soil fertility and changed PTEs distribution, reducing soluble fractions and increasing the more stable ones. The addition of biochar increased the plant biomass of hairy vetch and annual ryegrass, both in monoculture and when in mixture. For example, shoot and root biomass of the C + B intercropped hairy vetch and annual ryegrass increased 9- and 7-fold, and ∼3-fold respectively, compared to the respective C plants. The biochar addition decreased PTE-uptake by both plants, while mixed cropping increased the uptake of PTEs by shoots of hairy vetch grown in C and C + B. The bioaccumulation, translocation factors, and mineralomass showed that hairy vetch and annual ryegrass behaved as phytostabilising plants. PTE mineralomasses proved that mixed cropping in C + B increased the overall capacity of PTE accumulation by plant tissues, particularly the root system. Therefore, the combination of biochar and legumes/grasses mixed cropping could be an effective solution for the recovery of PTEs-contaminated soils and the mitigation of their environmental hazard.
Effect of Cd toxicity on root morphology, ultrastructure, Cd uptake and accumulation of wheat under intercropping with Solanum nigrum L.
2023, Heliyon
In order to evaluate the effect of intercropping of the hyperaccumulator, Solanum nigrum L. and wheat on the absorption and accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in wheat. The experiment was conducted with three replicates, which conducted on four Cd concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60 μmol L⁻¹) in the Hoagland solution and using two planting patterns [monoculture wheat (MW), intercropping wheat and Solanum nigrum L. (IW，IS)]. The results showed that the addition of Cd in the solutions reduced the total root length by 19.08–55.98%, total root area by 12.35–44.48%, and total root volume by 16.01–46.00% of wheat plants. Intercropping with Solanum nigrum L. significantly reduced Cd contents by 28.3–47.2% and Cd accumulations by 10.08–32.43% in the roots of wheat. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) revealed that the root-tip cells of the monoculture wheat treated with Cd exhibited swollen spheres of intracellular mitochondria, disorderly arranged inner ridges of mitochondria, some damaged mitochondrial membranes, and deformed nuclear membranes. Many dense electron particles in the form of Cd were deposited in the cell gap, and the cell nucleus became smaller or even disappeared. Under the same Cd concentrations, root-tip cells of intercropped wheat showed much less density of electron particles, starch granules, and the damage to the nucleus and nuclear membrane by Cd.These results indicated that intercropping with Solanum nigrum L. reduced the Cd toxicity to wheat roots and decreased Cd uptake and accumulation in both the shoots and roots of the wheat.
Facilitation of Morus alba L. intercropped with Sedum alfredii H. and Arundo donax L. on soil contaminated with potentially toxic metals
2022, Chemosphere
Tree-herb intercropping is a prospective approach for the ecological remediation of soil contaminated with potentially toxic metals (PTMs). In this study, the facilitation and microbial community response of woody plant Morus alba L. intercropped with Cd/Zn hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii H. and pioneer plant Arundo donax L. were carried out in the PTM-contaminated soil. The results indicated that the intercropping system can improve M. alba L. growth, as well as increase its PTMs uptake. The dried biomass of M. alba L. in the intercropping system was increased observably (p < 0.05) by 55.1%. Meanwhile, the contents of chlorophyll in M. alba L. leaves, PTMs contents in M. alba L. roots, and the relative abundance of Rhizobiaceae, Singulisphaera, Isosphaeraceae, and Arthrobacter in the M. alba L. rhizosphere were also notably (p < 0.05) enhanced. Meanwhile, the interactions of microorganisms in the intercropped plants rhizosphere might contribute to improving the biological quality of the contaminated soil. Soil sucrase and acid phosphatase activities in the intercropping system were significantly (p < 0.05) increased by 97.03% and 34.91% relative to the control. Furthermore, in the intercropping system, 93.61%, 61.30%, and 79.18% of Cd, Pb, and Zn were extracted by S. alfredii H., 72.16% of Cu was extracted by A. donax L., and 46.38% of Mn was extracted by M. alba L., which indicated that the extraction amounts of PTMs among the intercropped plants were relatively compensated. The results suggested that the tree-herb intercropping might increase the coexistence of plants and facilitate the adaptability for ecological remediation of PTM-contaminated soils.
The Cd phytoextraction potential of hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii-oilseed rape intercropping system under different soil types and comprehensive benefits evaluation under field conditions
2021, Environmental Pollution
Soil trace elements (TEs) contamination has become a worldwide problem in arable lands and poses great risk to human health via food chain. Intercropping of hyperaccumulator and cash crops is now proposed as a promising alternative phytoremediation technique to address the issue. However, the effect of intercropping in different soil types and field-scale benefits evaluation are rarely reported. A greenhouse pot experiment and a field trial were therefore designed to explore the effects of intercropping Sedum alfredii (hyperaccumulative population) and oilseed rape on Cd phytoextraction potential, Cd transport and crop production, as well as establishing a feasible assessment framework on the basis of benefits evaluation in contaminated soils. Compared with oilseed rape monoculture, intercropping with S. alfredii significantly and consistently increased biomass, seed yield and Cd accumulation in oilseed rape in five typical soil types. Accumulations of Cd varied with soil types, ranging from 22.8 to 4000 μg pot⁻¹. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis (SMLRA) showed Cd concentrations in plants were related to available phosphorus (AP), pH, soil organic matter (OM), available potassium (AK), silt and sand; R² values varied from 0.834 to 0.994 (P < 0.05). A field trial also verified that intercropping could significantly enhance Cd phytoextraction. The highest index for comprehensive benefits evaluation was 0.61 observed in the S. alfredii and oilseed rape intercropping system. This system presented higher Cd phytoextraction potential and comprehensive benefits index whilst allowing ongoing agricultural activities in slightly and moderately Cd-contaminated soils. These results provide a possible technical approach for phytoremediation practice and give new insights into theoretical reference for development of Cd phytoextraction and benefits evaluation.
Enhanced effects and mechanisms of Syngonium podophyllum-Peperomia tetraphylla co-planting on phytoremediation of low concentration uranium-bearing wastewater
2021, Chemosphere
Citation Excerpt :
Tang et al. researched on phytoremediation of cadmium and lead-contaminated farmland by co-planting Vicia fava L. with Sedum alfredii, and the results showed that, compared with the single plant, co-planting could increase the remova efficiency of Cd by 4.49 times and Pb by 5.41 times (Tang et al., 2020). ZU et al. and Cui et al. have also demonstrated that the co-planting of Sonchus asper and Vicia faba, Lolium perenne L. and Medicago sativa L. can augment the plants biomass (Zu et al., 2020; Cui et al., 2018). The intercropping of Sonchus asper and Vicia faba increased the bioaccumulation and translocation factor of cadmium in Sonchus asper (Zhan et al., 2016).
To improve the remediation efficiency of plants on low concentration uranium-bearing wastewater and clarify its strengthening mechanism, Syngonium podophyllum-Peperomia tetraphylla co-planting system was established, the enhanced effects of plants interaction on uranium removal were investigated, the chemical forms, valence states, and subcellular distribution of uranium in plants were confirmed, and the mechanisms of alleviating uranium stress by plants interaction were revealed. In Syngonium podophyllum-Peperomia tetraphylla co-planting system, the total amount of ethanol-extracted uranium and deionized water-extracted uranium with higher toxicity in their roots were reduced by 10.30% and 7.17%, respectively, which reduced the toxicity of uranium to plants. Plants interaction can inhibit the reduction of U(VI) in the root of Peperomia tetraphylla, which is conducive to the transport of uranium from roots to shoots. In addition, uranium in plants mainly existed in the cell wall (54.44%–66.52%) and the soluble fraction (23.85%–32.89%). These results indicated that Syngonium podophyllum and Peperomia tetraphylla co-planting can enhance their effects of uranium removal by alleviating uranium stress with the cell wall immobilization and vacuole compartmentation, improving biomass of plants, increasing bioaccumulation factor and translocation factor of uranium.
Phytoremediation potential of wheat intercropped with different densities of Sedum plumbizincicola in soil contaminated with cadmium and zinc
2021, Chemosphere
Intercropping technology is applied widely in crop cultivation to help remediate soil polluted with heavy metals. To investigate the feasibility and potential of intercropping hyperaccumulator plants with crops in cadmium (Cd)- and zinc (Zn)-contaminated soil, a pot experiment was conducted to examine plant growth and the contents of Cd and Zn in the soil following intercropping of wheat and Sedum plumbizincicola. Five treatments were examined: control (wheat monoculture: 36 seedlings per pot), and intercropping of wheat with different planting densities of S. plumbizincicola (3, 6, 9 and 15 seedlings per pot, respectively). Results showed a decrease in soil pH, and in soil and wheat contents of Cd and Zn with increasing planting density of S. plumbizincicola, while the removal rate of Cd and Zn increased. Meanwhile, excessive planting (15 seedlings per pot) inhibited wheat growth by 27.34% compared with the control, and overall, the optimal planting density was 9 seedlings per pot, resulting in effective remediation with only a moderate effect on wheat growth. These findings highlight the value of intercropping S. plumbizincicola with wheat as a means of improving remediation of soil contaminated with heavy metals (Cd and Zn).

View all citing articles on Scopus

View full text

Intercropping of Sonchus asper and Vicia faba affects plant cadmium accumulation and root responses

Abstract

J Environ Sci

Chin J Anal Chem

J Cleaner Prod

Vertical root separation and light interception in a temperate tree-based intercropping system of Eastern Canada

Agroforest Syst

Zinc and cadmium uptake from a metalliferous soil by a mixed culture of Athyrium yokoscense and Arabis flagellosa

Soil Sci Plant Nutr

Effects of cadmium amendments on low-molecular-weight organic acid exudates in rhizosphere soils of tobacco and sunflower

Environ Toxi

Extraction of heavy metals and mineral elements in agricultural soils around mine area using biodegradable and non-biodegradable chelators

J Agro-Environ Sci (in Chinese)

Relationship between rhizosphere microbial community functional diversity and faba bean fusarium wilt occurrence in wheat and faba bean intercropping system

Acta Ecol Sin (in Chinese)

The effect of low-molecular-weight organic acids on cadmium assay using diffusive gradient in thin film technique

Chem Listy

Uptake of metals by plants sharing a rhizosphere with the hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens

Int J Phytoremediat

The intercropping influence on heavy metal uptake for hyperaccumulators

Interaction of roots and rhizosphere in the wheat-maize intercropping system

Rural Eco-Environ (in Chinese)

Effect of co-planting of Sedum alfredii and Zea mays on Zn-contaminated sewage sludge

Environ Sci (in Chinese)

The remediation technology and remediation practice of heavy metal-contaminated soil

J Agro-Environ Sci (in Chinese)

Absorption and accumulation of Pb, Cd by corn, lupin and chickpea in intercropping systems

Acta Ecol Sin (in Chinese)

The rediscovery of intercropping in China: A traditional cropping system for future Chinese agriculture—a review

Diversity enhances agricultural productivity via rhizosphere phosphorus facilitation on phosphorus-deficient soils

Proc Natl Acad Sci USA

Effects of intercropping different crops with maize on the Cd uptake by maize

Chin J Appl Ecol (in Chinese)

Cadmium uptake from soil by maize with intercrops

Water Air Soil Pollut

Metal mobilization and production of short-chain organic acids by rhizosphere bacteria associated with a Cd/Zn hyperaccumulating plant, Sedum alfredii

Plant Soil