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Earthworm mucus enhanced cadmium accumulation of tomato seedlings

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 00:26 authored by Zhang, S, Tang, C, Li, H, Wei, Z, Hu, F
A hydroponic experiment was carried out to study the effects of earthworm (Metaphire guillemi) mucus on tomato Hezuo 903 (Lycopersicon esculentum) seedlings growth and cadmium (Cd) accumulation. The experiment included three levels of Cd addition rates (0, 5 and 10 mg L−1), two levels of earthworm mucus addition (20 and 40 ml per pot) treatments (EML and EMH), and the control (CK). The results showed that compared with the control, earthworm mucus addition significantly increased shoot and root dry weights of tomato seedling by 13.8–44.5% and 12.4–33.2%, respectively. In contrast, high earthworm mucus addition (EMH) led to a 4% shoot weights decrease at 10 mg Cd L−1 compared with CK. Cadmium concentrations and accumulations in both shoot and root of tomato seedlings were significantly increased (p < 0.01) with increasing Cd and earthworm mucus addition levels. Cadmium concentrations and accumulations in root were much higher than those in corresponding shoot. Present study indicated that earthworm mucus could enhance tomato seedlings growth and Cd accumulation. Our work might be not only very useful for understanding how earthworms enhance plant growth and heavy metals accumulation, but also for further application of earthworms in phytoextraction.

History

Publication title

International Journal of Phytoremediation

Volume

12

Pagination

24-33

ISSN

1522-6514

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Crc Press Llc

Place of publication

2000 Corporate Blvd Nw, Journals Customer Service, Boca Raton, USA, Fl, 33431

Rights statement

Copyright 2010 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the chemical sciences

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