Metal tolerance, accumulation and translocation in poplar and willow clones treated with cadmium in hydroponics

To evaluate the phytoremediation capability of some poplar and willow clones a hydroponic screening for cadmium tolerance, accumulation and translocation was performed. Rooted cuttings were exposed for 3 weeks to 50 ?M cadmium sulphate in a growth chamber and morpho-physiological parameters and cadmium content distribution in various parts of the plant were evaluated. Total leaf area and root characteristics in clones and species were affected by cadmium treatment in different ways. Poplar clones showed a remarkable variability whereas willow clones were observed to be more homogeneous in cadmium accumulation and distribution. This behaviour was further confirmed by the calculation of the bio-concentration factor (BCF) and the translocation factor (Tf). Mean values of all the clones of the two Salicaceae species showed that willows had a far greater ability to tolerate cadmium than poplars, as indicated by the tolerance index (Ti), calculated on the dry weight of roots and shoots of plants. As far as the mean values of Tf was concerned, the capacity of willows to translocate was double that of poplars. On the contrary, the mean values of total BCF in poplar clones was far higher with respect to those in willows. The implications of these results in the selection of Salicaceae clones for phytoremediation purposes were discussed.