Characterization of cadmium (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 ¹⁰⁸Cd distribution and accumulation were investigated in T. erecta with split -roots or removed xylem/phloem. The results showed that ¹⁰⁸Cd transport from roots to aboveground tissues showed the homolateral transport phenomenon in split-root seedlings. ¹⁰⁸Cd content of leaves on the +¹⁰⁸Cd side and the −¹⁰⁸Cd side was not significantly different, which implied that there was horizontal transport of ¹⁰⁸Cd from the +¹⁰⁸Cd side to the −¹⁰⁸Cd side in cut-root seedlings. Like ¹⁰⁸Cd transport, the transport of ⁷⁰Zn was homolateral. Reduction of water consumption in the removed xylem treatment significantly decreased ¹⁰⁸Cd accumulation; whereas, the removed phloem treatment had no significant effect on water consumption, but did decrease ¹⁰⁸Cd accumulation in leaves of the seedlings. The removal of phloem significantly reduced distal leaf ¹⁰⁸Cd 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.