Morphological and Physiological Responses of a Halophyte (Atriplex Halimus) to the Effect of Heavy Metal Case of Cadmium

Authors

Abderrezzeq Chebout, Bioactive Molecules and Applications Laboratory. Faculty of Exact Sciences and Natural and Life Sciences. Echahid Cheikh Larbi Tebessi University AlgeriaFollow
Hana Souahi, Water and Environment Laboratory. Faculty of Exact Sciences and Natural and Life Sciences, Echahid Cheikh Larbi Tebessi University. AlgeriaFollow
Zahia Kadi, Functional Ecology and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences and Life Sciences, University of Oum el Bouaghi. Algeria.Follow
Rania Gacem, Bioactive Molecules and Applications Laboratory. Faculty of Exact Sciences and Natural and Life Sciences. Echahid Cheikh Larbi Tebessi University Algeria.Follow

Abstract

Today, cadmium (Cd) contamination challenges the environmental quality and food security. This experiment was realized to study the morphological and physiological response of the halophyte species Atriplex halimus L to cadmium toxicity by applying different concentrations of Cd (0, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000 ppm) on the plant A.halimus for two weeks after 60 days of seeding. The morphological parameters and physiological wish evaluated the stem length (SL), root length (RL), leaf area (LA), chlorophylls (a, b, t and carotenoids), and the relative water content (RWC). The results show a decrease in stem elongation, (11.333 ± 3.512 cm in Cd treatments of 2000 ppm), roots (9,500 ± 3,775 cm in Cd treatments of 1000 ppm), and leaf area (1,675 ± 0,816 cm2 in Cd treatments of 2000 ppm) compared to the control. As well as a decrease in the quantity of chlorophyll which ranged from 1088,308 to 972,383 μg/g FM. Finally, it is observed that the accumulation of heavy metals affects the physiological and morphological status of plants. The findings suggest that Atriplex halimus L is tolerant to heavy metals, and could be used for phytoremediation of soils contaminated by trace elements.

Article History

Received: Oct 03, 2022; Accepted: Dec 13, 2022; Published: March 30, 2022

Recommended Citation

Chebout, A., Souahi, H., Kadi, Z., & Gacem, R. (2023). Morphological and Physiological Responses of a Halophyte (Atriplex Halimus) to the Effect of Heavy Metal Case of Cadmium, Journal of Bioresource Management, 10 (1).