Characterization of cadmium ((108)Cd) distribution and accumulation in Tagetes erecta L. seedlings: effect of split-root and of remove-xylem/phloem

Tagetes erecta has a high potential for cadmium (Cd) phytoremediation. Through several hydroponic experiments, characteristics of (108)Cd distribution and accumulation were investigated in T. erecta with split -roots or removed xylem/phloem. The results showed that (108)Cd transport from roots to aboveground tissues showed the homolateral transport phenomenon in split-root seedlings. (108)Cd content of leaves on the +(108)Cd side and the -(108)Cd side was not significantly different, which implied that there was horizontal transport of (108)Cd from the +(108)Cd side to the -(108)Cd side in cut-root seedlings. Like (108)Cd transport, the transport of (70)Zn was homolateral. Reduction of water consumption in the removed xylem treatment significantly decreased (108)Cd accumulation; whereas, the removed phloem treatment had no significant effect on water consumption, but did decrease (108)Cd accumulation in leaves of the seedlings. The removal of phloem significantly reduced distal leaf (108)Cd content, which was significantly lower than that in the basal leaves in both the split-root and unsplit-root seedlings. Overall, the results presented in this study revealed that the root to aboveground cadmium translocation via phloem is as an important and common physiological process as xylem determination of the cadmium accumulation in stems and leaves of marigold seedlings.