EDTA-assisted phytoextraction of lead from lead-contaminated soils by Echinochloa crusgalli var. frumentacea

The herbaceous plant Echinochloa crusgalli var. frumentacea is highly resistant to a wide range of heavy metal concentrations. In this study we tested the phytoextraction capacity of E. crusgalli var. frumentacea. Specifically, we compared the effect of EDTA on lead (Pb) accumulation in two groups of plants: those sown in lead contaminated soil and those transplanted to the contaminated soil as seedlings. The result of the time development of the Pb concentrations in the plants in the seedling and seed groups shows that for the seedling group, the effect of adding EDTA to the Pb-contaminated soil was even more pronounced in the shoots than the roots, which showed Pb concentrations 32-fold higher. Compared to the seedling group, the Pb concentrations in the roots of plants in the seed group were approximately 5 times higher in controls and 2 to 10 times higher in the presence of EDTA. Collectively, these results might be considered that EDTA elevates the bioavailability of Pb in soil and this native species is particularly suited to use in Pb phytoextraction.