Potential phytoremediation of Pampa biome native and invasive grass species cohabiting vineyards contaminated with Cu in Southern Brazil.

The objectives were (a) to evaluate whether grasses native to the Pampa biome, Axonopus affinis Chase, Paspalum notatum Flüggé and Paspalum plicatulum Michx, and the invasive grass Cynodon dactylon (L.). Pers have the potential to phytoremediate soil contaminated with Cu (0, 35 and 70 mg Cu kg); (b) assess whether the growth of these species is compromised by the excess of Cu available in the soil; and (c) determine the impact of excess Cu on the physiological responses of the studied species.

The tolerance of grapevine rootstocks to copper excess and to the use of calcium and phosphorus to mitigate its phytotoxicity.

High soil copper (Cu) concentrations in vineyards can cause phytotoxicity to grapevine rootstocks. In order to mitigate toxicity, the use of grapevine rootstock genetic variation and the application of amendments are possible strategies. The aim of this study is to assess the tolerance of grapevine rootstocks to Cu excess and whether phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) can reduce phytotoxicity caused by Cu.

Physiological responses of beet and cabbage plants exposed to copper and their potential insertion in human food chain.

Copper (Cu) can be toxic to vegetables when it is absorbed and accumulated at large concentrations, a fact that increases the risk of excessive addition of this metal to the human food chain. The aims of the current study are (1) to determine the Cu concentrations that have critical toxic effects on beet and cabbage plants, and the potential of these plants to enter the human food chain, as well as (2) to assess the physiological and biochemical responses of representatives of these vegetables grown in nutrient solution presenting increasing Cu concentrations. Beet and cabbage plants were grown for 75 days in pots filled with sand added with nutrient solution presenting six Cu concentrations: 0.

Soil tillage affects soybean growth and promotes heavy metal accumulation in seeds.

When soybean is grown in soils with high heavy metal concentrations, it may introduce those contaminants into the human food chain, posing risks to human health. This study evaluated the effect of tilling the soil with high Cu, Zn, and Mn levels on soybean physiology and metal accumulation in seeds. Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were collected in two different sites: a vineyard with high heavy metal concentration and a grassland area, containing natural vegetation.

Tolerance and phytoremediation potential of grass species native to South American grasslands to copper-contaminated soils.

Grass species native to South American can have mechanisms to tolerate copper (Cu) excess, which improves their use to phytoremediate Cu-contaminated soils . The aims of the present study are to assess the tolerance of grass species native to South American grasslands to copper-contaminated soils, as well as their adaptive responses under high Cu-stressed condition and to identify native grass species presenting the highest potential to be used for phytoremediation purposes. Soil samples were air-dried and their acidity, phosphorus and potassium levels were corrected, and the samples were incubated.

Physiological responses of rice ( L.) loss-of-function plants exposed to varying Zn concentrations.

Rice is a daily staple for half of the world's population. However, rice grains are poor in micronutrients such as Fe and Zn, the two most commonly deficient minerals in the human diet. In plants, Fe and Zn must be absorbed from the soil, distributed and stored, so that their concentrations are maintained at sufficient but non-toxic levels.

Physiological responses of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) cultivars to copper excess.

Successive applications of copper fungicides on vines have resulted in increased copper content in vineyard soils over the years. This high copper content has affected the growth of young vines in eradicated vineyards. Thus, the cultivation of annual species for a few years is an alternative to copper phytostabilization, because it would be a good way to decrease copper availability to plants.

Earthworms and mycorrhization increase copper phytoextraction by Canavalia ensiformis in sandy soil.

Phytoremediation is an alternative for remediating soil contamination by copper, and its efficiency has been shown to increase when arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and earthworms are separately inoculated into the soil. This study evaluated the isolated and combined effects of inoculating earthworms and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi into a sandy soil on copper phytoremediation by Canavalia ensiformis. The plants were grown in a greenhouse in soil contaminated with 100 mg Cu kg with and without being inoculated with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizoglomus clarum and the earthworm Eisenia andrei.

Potential of vermicompost and limestone in reducing copper toxicity in young grapevines grown in Cu-contaminated vineyard soil.

Foliar fungicide application in grapevines increases the content of heavy metals such as copper (Cu) in vineyard soils, which may reach phytotoxic levels. The application of soil amendments such as limestone and vermicompost may reduce Cu availability and phytotoxicity. The study aimed to assess growth, physiological status and changes in root morphology in young grapevines grown for 12 months in Cu-contaminated soil with and without the application of soil amendments.

Growth, biochemical response and nutritional status of Angico-Vermelho (Parapiptadenia rigida (Bentham) Brenan) under the application of soil amendment in Cu-contaminated soil.

Forest species Angico-Vermelho (Parapiptadenia rigida (Bentham) Brenan) is an alternative for the revegetation of areas contaminated with high levels of heavy metals such as copper (Cu). However, excess Cu may cause toxicity to plants, which is why the use of soil amendments can facilitate cultivation by reducing the availability of Cu in the soil. The aim of this study was to assess how the use of amendment can contribute to growth and nutritional status as well as reduce oxidative stress in Angico-Vermelho grown in Cu-contaminated soil.

Soil amendment as a strategy for the growth of young vines when replanting vineyards in soils with high copper content.

Soil contamination with copper (Cu)-based agrochemicals used in vineyards for pest control is a growing problem. In this context, the application of soil amendment to limit Cu toxicity, especially for young plants after the replanting of vineyards, has been a concern for winemakers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate how different amendments can contribute to the decrease in Cu availability in areas vocated to viticulture.

Effects of Rhizophagus clarus and P availability in the tolerance and physiological response of Mucuna cinereum to copper.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) improve plant ability to uptake P and tolerate heavy metals. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of available P and the inoculation of Rhizophagus clarus in a Cu-contaminated soil (i) on the activity of acid phosphatases (soil and plant), the presence of glomalin, and (ii) in the biochemical and physiological status of Mucuna cinereum. A Typic Hapludalf soil artificially contaminated by adding 60 mg kg Cu was used in a 3 × 2 factorial design with three replicates.