Phytoremediation potential of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) for zinc and ultrastructure changes under zinc toxicity

Abstract

This study has investigated toxicity of Zn and phytoremediation ability in shoot of moso bamboo. In hydroponic experiment the plants showed high Zn torelence up to application of 400 µM, while there was a general trend of decline in the roots and shoot biomass. Maximum concentration of 1594 mg kg –1 was observed in shoot after treating with 100 µM Zn. The shoot/root ratio reached the level of 0.27 under 10 µM zinc stress. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that electron-dense granules in vacuoles and structure of leaf cells were significantly effected by 200 µM of Zn. However, mitochondria and thylakoid membrane arrangement did not alter. Using scanning electron microscopy, Zn-related changes in the structure of the stoma were uncovered and crystal particles probably of Zinc were observed in stem.