Soil ecotoxicity assessment using cadmium sensitive plants

Four crop plant species (sweet corn, Zea may; wheat, Triticum aestivum; cucumber, Cucumis sativus; and sorghum, Sorghum bicolor) were tested to assess an ecotoxicity in cadmium-amended soils. The measurement endpoints used were seed germination and seedling growth (shoot and root). The presence of cadmium decreased the seedling growth. The medium effective concentration values (EC50) for shoot or root growth were calculated by the Trimmed Spearman-Karber method. Due to the greater accumulation of Cd to the roots, root growth was a more sensitive endpoint than shoot growth. Bioavailability and transport of Cd within plant were related to concentration and species. The ratio of bioaccumulation factor (BAF) in the shoots to the roots indicated high immobilization of Cd in the roots. Seed germination was insensitive to Cd toxicity, and is not recommended for a suitable assay. Among the test plants and test endpoints, root growth of sorghum and cucumber appears to be a good protocol to assess ecotoxicity of soils contaminated by Cd.     

Effects of distillery waste on the performance of Cicer arietinum L

The impact of distillery effluent in various concentrations (1, 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) on the seed germination, Speed of Germination Index, growth behaviour, leaf area, biomass, net primary productivity, pigment content, reproductive capacity, seed output, seed weight, seed density and the seed protein content of Cicer arietinum L. plants was investigated. The percentage and speed of germination of seeds were increasingly retarded with increase in effluent concentration and at 100% concentration there was no germination. The seedlings exhibited maximum shoot length at 5% concentration and maximum root length at 2.5% concentration. The values of root and shoot lengths, leaf area, biomass, net primary productivity, pigment content, reproductive capacity, seed output, seed weight, seed density and seed protein content in pot plants exhibited a gradual increase from the control up to 5% concentration and decreases at higher concentrations. The very high BOD load and the presence of excessive concentrations of soluble salts could be responsible for the toxicity of the effluent. The effluent at up to 5% concentration was, however, beneficial for the overall growth parameters studied and can thus be used as a liquid fertilizer.     

巯基化合物在万寿菊镉解毒中的作用

采用水培实验方法研究了万寿菊体内镉积累和解毒与巯基化合物含量的关系。万寿菊植株分别在镉浓度为0、0.1、0.5、2和8 mg/L的营养液中暴露7 d,测定了根、茎、叶中镉、非蛋白巯基(NPT)、半胱氨酸(Cys)、γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸(γ-EC)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)和植物络合素(PCs)的含量。植物根、茎、叶中镉含量都随着镉暴露浓度的增加而增加。当溶液中镉浓度较低(0.1～2 mg/L)时,茎叶中NPT、PCs、Cys和γ-EC含量随着镉浓度增加而增大;当镉浓度较高(8 mg/L)时,茎叶中PCs含量迅速降低,GSH含量大幅度增高。在根部,这些巯基化合物的含量几乎不受镉处理影响,且含量较低。以上研究结果表明:PCs在万寿菊镉的解毒机制中发挥一定的作用,暴露于高浓度的镉,GSH比PCs起着更为重要的解毒作用。     

Phytotoxicity of nanoparticles: inhibition of seed germination and root growth

Plants need to be included to develop a comprehensive toxicity profile for nanoparticles. Effects of five types of nanoparticles (multi-walled carbon nanotube, aluminum, alumina, zinc, and zinc oxide) on seed germination and root growth of six higher plant species (radish, rape, ryegrass, lettuce, corn, and cucumber) were investigated. Seed germination was not affected except for the inhibition of nanoscale zinc (nano-Zn) on ryegrass and zinc oxide (nano-ZnO) on corn at 2000 mg/L. Inhibition on root growth varied greatly among nanoparticles and plants. Suspensions of 2000 mg/L nano-Zn or nano-ZnO practically terminated root elongation of the tested plant species. Fifty percent inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of nano-Zn and nano-ZnO were estimated to be near 50mg/L for radish, and about 20mg/L for rape and ryegrass. The inhibition occurred during the seed incubation process rather than seed soaking stage. These results are significant in terms of use and disposal of engineered nanoparticles.     

Effect of zinc fertilization on cadmium toxicity in durum and bread wheat grown in zinc-deficient soil

The effect of increasing application of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) on shoot dry weight and shoot concentrations of Zn and Cd was studied in bread and durum wheat cultivars. Plants were grown in severely Zn-deficient calcareous soil treated with increasing Zn (0 and 10 mg kg(-1) soil) and Cd (0, 10 and 25 mg kg(-1) soil) and harvested after 35 and 65 days of growth under greenhouse conditions. Growing plants without Zn fertilization caused severe depression in shoot growth, especially in durum wheat and at high Cd treatment. Cadmium treatments resulted in rapid development of necrotic patches on the base and sheath parts of the oldest leaves of both wheat cultivars, but symptoms were more severe in durum wheat and under Zn deficiency. Decreases in shoot dry weight from increasing Cd application were more severe in Zn-deficient plants. Severity of Cd toxicity symptoms in durum and bread wheat at different Zn treatments did not show any relation to the Cd concentrations in shoot. Increasing Cd application to Zn-deficient plants tended to decrease Zn concentrations in Zn-deficient plants, whereas in plants with adequate Zn, concentrations of Zn were either not affected or increased by Cd. The results show that durum wheat was more sensitive to both Zn deficiency and Cd toxicity as compared to bread wheat. Cadmium toxicity in the shoot was alleviated by Zn treatment, but this was not accompanied by a corresponding decrease in shoot concentrations of Cd. Our results are compatible with the hypothesis that Zn protects plants from Cd toxicity by improving plant defense against Cd-induced oxidative stress and by competing with Cd for binding to critical cell constituents such as enzymes and membrane protein and lipids.     

Effects of composting on phytotoxicity of spent pig-manure sawdust litter

The phytotoxicity of spent pig-manure sawdust litter (spent litter) was evaluated during further composting. Aqueous extracts of the spent litter were prepared by shaking the sample with water (1:10 w/v), and the toxicity of these extracts was determined on relative seed germination, relative root elongation and germination index (GI, a factor of relative seed germination and relative root elongation). The sensitivity of six plant species, namely Brassica parachinensis (Chinese cabbage), Brassica albogalera (Chinese kale), Allium sativum (onion), Cucumis sativus (cucumber), Amaranthus espinosus (Chinese spinach), and Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) were compared. The effect of different moisture levels during composting on the phytotoxicity of the spent litter was also examined. Phytotoxicity of the spent litter was only evident during the earlier stage of composting (first 14 days) and, that seed germination and root elongation reached 100% (same as the control) towards the end of the composting. The concentrations of the major inhibitors, water-extractable Cu and Zn, and NH4(+)-N of the spent litter, declined during composting, indicating that these inhibitors were gradually eliminated as composting proceeded. Multiple regression analysis showed that the NH4(+)-N content of the spent litter was the most important chemical factor affecting phytotoxicity of the plant species selected for this study. Relative root elongation and GI were more sensitive indicators of phytotoxicity than seed germination. In the present study, the GI's of all plant species were >80% at day 60, indicating that the spent litter had reached its maturation by day 60. The responses of different plant species to the water-extracts of the spent litter were different. Among the six species, Chinese cabbage and Chinese spinach were the most sensitive species, and tomato and cucumber were the least sensitive species to indicate phytotoxicity of the spent litter. Moisture adjustment during the composting process did not affect the results of the phytotoxicity test.     

Assessment of comparative toxicities of lead and copper using plant assay

The acute toxicities of lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) to important crop plants Sorghum bicolor, Cucumis sativus, Triticum aestivum, and Zea mays were compared. The EC50 values (the concentration of metals in the soil that reduces the growth of shoots and roots by 50%) were derived using the Trimmed Spearman-Karber method. The EC50s-shoot (root) in mg Pb kg-1 dry soil and mg Cu kg-1 dry soil were in the range of 519 to >1280 (285-445), and 48-232 (<40-110), respectively. Those concentrations are likely to occur in some abandoned mine areas in Korea. The figures indicate that Cu is more toxic than Pb to the plants in this study, and that root growth is more sensitive to the toxicity endpoint than shoot growth in Cu- or Pb-amended soils. On the other hand, seed germination is insensitive to both Pb and Cu toxicities. The Pb- and Cu-sensitive plants were also identified. Among the plants tested, T. aestivum and S. bicolor were most sensitive to Pb and Cu, respectively. Z. mays was most resistant to both Pb and Cu. The combined effects of Pb and Cu depend on the plant species, and no general phenomenon was observed. Bioaccumulations of Pb and Cu were observed in all test species, and they are concentration-dependent. These differences in the toxicities of Pb and Cu in plant species should be taken into account in biomonitoring and ecological risk assessment.     

Phytotoxicity of low-weight carboxylic acids

Presence of low-weight carboxylic acids (LWCAs) can be the reason for phytotoxicity of green manures, treated bio-waste or digestates from biogas production applied to soils. As the phytotoxic concentrations of LWCA are poorly known, this work presents data on six acids (C(1)C(6): formic, acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, and caproic). Phytotoxicity was measured in acute (72 or 120 h) and subchronic (21 d) assays for seed germination, seedling elongation, and plant growth for garden cress Lepidium sativum and ryegrass Lolium multiflorum. The dose-response relationship was modeled using Weibull model. Results showed a trend that toxicity of LWCA increases with the length of the carbon chain, formic acid (C(1)) being the least and caproic acid (C(6)) the most toxic. EC50 values in the acute seed germination of cress ranged between 1.9 and 4.2mM and for ryegrass between 1.8 and 6.4mM. In subchronic assays EC50 values for germination were in a range from 11 to 46mMkg(-1)dm for cress, and from 18 to 127 mM kg(-1) dm for ryegrass. EC50 values for early seedling growth of cress based on acute assays ranged from 0.7 to 2.3mM and that of ryegrass from 1.2 to 1.8mM. Range of EC50 values for shoot biomass of cress was between 8 and 40 mM kg(-1) dm and of ryegrass between 12 and 93 mM kg(-1) dm.     

Heavy metal speciation and phytotoxic effects of three representative sewage sludges for agricultural uses

The environmental impact of sewage sludges depends on the availability and phytotoxicity of their heavy metal. The influence of representative sludges (dewatered anaerobic, pelletization, and composted sludge) on the availability of heavy metals, and their effects on seed germination were compared. The total heavy metal concentrations were below the maximum permitted for land-applied waste and the differences among them were small. The DTPA-extracted metal concentrations were rather different. The sequential extraction of the compost showed a slight increase in Cd and Cu availability, and a decrease in the availability of Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn. Pelletization increased the availability of Ni and slightly reduced that of Cr. The dewatering sludge led to greater availability of Cr and Mn but reduced the concentration of Cd. The three different sludges also affected seed germination and root elongation in different ways. The most serious adverse effects were caused by the dewatered sludge extract.     

Evaluation and refinement of a continuous seed germination and early seedling growth test for the use in the ecotoxicological assessment of soils.

Four higher plant species (Avena sativa L., oat; Lepidium sativum L., cress; Brassica rapa Metzg., turnip; and Phaseolus vulgaris L., bush bean) and 15 soils including five mineral oil-contaminated soils were tested to assess a soil-based continuous seed germination and early seedling growth bioassay. Seed germination was recorded and the shoot biomass of 14-day seedlings measured. An automatic self-watering system was compared with the daily hand watering. Results obtained from this study show that the self-watering system had minor effects on both seed germination and early seedling growth, and that soil nutrient status rather than soil texture significantly affected both seedling emergence and shoot biomass. Proportional dilution of suspicious samples from primary tests with an appropriate control soil is recommended for secondary tests. Shoot biomass is a more sensitive measurement endpoint than seed germination. Bush bean should not be recommended for use due to its low sensitivity to mineral oil and poor germination in soil.     

Photoinduced toxicity of fluoranthene on germination and early development of plant seedling

The influence of light on phytotoxicity of increased concentration (2, 5, 10 mg/l) of intact fluoranthene (FLT) and photomodified fluoranthene (phFLT) diluted in experimental solutions was investigated. The germination rate of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), onion (Allium cepa L.) and tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum L.) seeds and some parameters of seedlings primary growth of these plant species were used as laboratory indicators of phytotoxicity. Among them a length of root and shoot, their dry weight and a content of photosynthetic pigments in shoot were measured. The results demonstrated that the higher concentration (5 and 10 mg/l) of FLT and especially of phFLT significantly inhibited the germination rate of seeds and the length of root and shoot seedlings of all plant species. Decreased production of biomass expressed by dry weight of root and shoot was found in lettuce seedlings under the inhibitory effect of FLT and phFLT. An increased concentration of FLT and phFLT did not exhibit an unambiguous effect on the content of photosynthetic pigments in shoot of experimental plants. Only the highest concentration (10 mg/l) of FLT significantly increased content of chlorophylls a and b in lettuce, onion and tomato plants and content of carotenoids in lettuce and onion. Light intensified a significant inhibitory effect of phFLT in the most testified parameters of germination and seedling growth.     

Effects of cyanobacteria producing microcystins on seed germination and seedling growth of several agricultural plants

The effects of cyanobacteria aqueous extracts containing Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) on the seed germination and growth of Pisum sativum, Lens esculenta, Zea mays and Triticum durum were investigated. Experiments were carried out on a range of doses of the extract (equivalent to 0, 1.6, 2.9, 5.8, 8.7 and 11.6 mu g MC-LR/mL). The results confirm that these plants were sensitive to cell-free extracts of a toxic Microcystis and that germination inhibition was dose dependent. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that P. sativum is the most sensitive tested species with a 97% germination rate reduction and L. esculenta was the most resistant. At the 8th day, the exposure to the microcystins (MC) resulted in a significant decrease of plant epicotyls length, roots length and a net inhibition of lateral root formation. It is concluded that MC could affect also terrestrial plants seedling germination and growth. Therefore, the use of water for irrigation contaminated by MC could exert negative biochemical effects on seed and plant metabolism which might influence the agricultural crops.     

Phytoextraction of cadmium by Ipomoea aquatica (water spinach) in hydroponic solution: effects of cadmium speciation

Phytoextraction is a promising technique to remediate heavy metals from contaminated wastewater. However, the interactions of multi-contaminants are not fully clear. This study employed cadmium, Triton X-100 (TX-100), and EDTA to investigate their interactions on phytotoxicity and Cd phytoextraction of Ipomoea aquatica (water spinach) in simulated wastewater. The Cd speciation was estimated by a chemical equilibrium model and MINEQL+. Statistic regression was applied to evaluate Cd speciation on Cd uptake in shoots and stems of I. aquatica. Results indicated that the root length was a more sensitive parameter than root weight and shoot weight. Root elongation was affected by Cd in the Cd-EDTA solution and TX-100 in the Cd-TX-100 solution. Both the root length and the root biomass were negatively correlated with the total soluble Cd ions. In contrast, Cd phytoextraction of I. aquatic was correlated with the aqueous Cd ions in the free and complex forms rather than in the chelating form. Additionally, the high Cd bioconcentration factors of I. aquatica (375-2227 l kg(-1) for roots, 45-144 l kg(-1) for shoots) imply that I. aquatica is a potential aquatic plant to remediate Cd-contaminated wastewater.     

The negative effects of cadmium on Bermuda grass growth might be offset by submergence

Revegetation in the water-level-fluctuation zone (WLFZ) could stabilize riverbanks, maintain local biodiversity, and improve reservoir water quality in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (TGRR). However, submergence and cadmium (Cd) may seriously affect the survival of transplantations. Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is a stoloniferous and rhizomatous prostrate weed displaying high growth rate. A previous study has demonstrated that Bermuda grass can tolerate deep submergence and Cd stress, respectively. In the present study, we further analyzed physiological responses of Bermuda grass induced by Cd-and-submergence stress. The ultimate goal was to explore the possibility of using Bermuda grass for revegetation in the WLFZ of China’s TGRR and other riparian areas. The Cd-and-submergence-treated plants had higher malondialdehyde contents and peroxidase than control, and both increased with the Cd concentration increase. All treated plants catalase activity increased with the experimental duration increases, and their superoxide dismutase also gradually increased with the Cd concentration from 1 day to 15 days. Total biomass of the same Cd-and-submergence plants increased along the experimental duration as well. Plants exposed to Cd-and-submergence stress showed shoot elongation. The heights of all treated plants were taller than those of the control. Leaf chlorophyll contents, maximum leaf length, and soluble sugars contents of all the Cd-and-submergence-treated plants were more than those of the untreated control. Although Cd inhibits plants growth, decreases chlorophyll and biomass content, and with the submergence induced the leaf and shoot elongation, more part of the Cd-and-submergence stress plants appeared in the air, exhibited fast growth with maintenance of leaf color, which guaranteed the plants’ photosynthesis, and ensured the total biomass and carbohydrate sustainability, further promoting Cd-and-submergence tolerance. The results imply that the negative effects of cadmium on Bermuda grass growth might be offset by submergence.     

城市二级污水灌溉对几种园林植物生长的影响

以新疆乌鲁木齐市东郊七道弯污水处理厂二级出水为研究对象．开展了二级污水对几种园林植物(万寿菊、紫穗槐、高羊茅、早熟禾)生理、生态的影响研究。与对照组相比，结果表明，草坪草、紫穗槐叶绿素含量、净光合速率、地上部分生物量增加。     

Effects of cyanobacteria producing microcystins on seed germination and seedling growth of several agricultural plants

The effects of cyanobacteria aqueous extracts containing Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) on the seed germination and growth of Pisum sativum, Lens esculenta, Zea mays and Triticum durum were investigated. Experiments were carried out on a range of doses of the extract (equivalent to 0, 1.6, 2.9, 5.8, 8.7 and 11.6 μ g MC-LR/mL). The results confirm that these plants were sensitive to cell-free extracts of a toxic Microcystis and that germination inhibition was dose dependent. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that P. sativum is the most sensitive tested species with a 97% germination rate reduction and L. esculenta was the most resistant. At the 8th day, the exposure to the microcystins (MC) resulted in a significant decrease of plant epicotyls length, roots length and a net inhibition of lateral root formation. It is concluded that MC could affect also terrestrial plants seedling germination and growth. Therefore, the use of water for irrigation contaminated by MC could exert negative biochemical effects on seed and plant metabolism which might influence the agricultural crops.     

Bioherbicidal activity of terpenes and phenylpropenes against Echinochloa crus-galli

Abstract

This study was undertaken to evaluate the herbicidal activity of twelve natural compounds belonging to monoterpenes, phenylpropenes, and sesquiterpenes against Echinochloa crus-galli under laboratory and glasshouse conditions. Experiments were conducted to determine the impact of different concentrations (0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8?mM) of these compounds on the seed germination and root and shoot growth of barnyard grass. trans-Cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and thymol caused the highest impact on barnyard grass reducing its seed germination and shoot growth. p-Cymene (EC₅₀ = 0.22?mM) and trans-cinnamaldehyde (EC₅₀ = 0.34?mM) were the most potent compounds in limiting the root growth of the E. crus-galli. In a post-emergent experiment, thymol, trans-cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, farnesol, and nerolidol significantly reduced the shoot growth, fresh and dry weight of two-leaf stage barnyard grass after 2 days of the foliar treatment with the concentrations of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0%. These compounds induced severe visible injury symptoms where trans-cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, farnesol and nerolidol showed a complete weed control at 1.0 and 2.0%. These compounds were successfully formulated as emulsifiable concentrates and showed higher herbicidal activities against barnyard grass. Altogether, our data showed that trans-cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, thymol, farnesol, and nerolidol can be developed as novel bioherbicides for managing E. crus-galli.     

The relationship between foliar injury, nitrogen metabolism, and growth parameters in ozonated soybeans

A single 12 h ozone exposure peaking at 0.20 ppm proved phytotoxic to greenhouse-grown 'Cutler 71' soybeans at each growth stage tested from V5 to R6. Visible injury occurred within 40 h on the unifoliodate leaves and middle-aged and older trifoliolates while the younger leaves were free from toxicity symptoms. In some instances visible injury was accompanied by a decrease in chlorophyll and an increase in leaf diffusive resistance. Although nitrogen fixation was not significantly altered except at early pod formation (R3), and nitrate reductase activity was significantly reduced only if the ozone exposure occurred at the time of maximal enzyme activity (V5), nitrogen content of the leaves was reduced by ozone treatment. Shoot dry weight was not affected 40 h after ozone treatment, but root dry weight was significantly reduced. Plants grown with supplemental NO(3)(-) were more sensitive to ozone than those dependent on fixed nitrogen. At plant maturity, there was no evidence of an ozone effect on shoot, root, or seed dry weight, NO(3)(-) -grown plants showed a significant increase in growth and yield over N(2)(-) plants; but no ozone effect was observed, despite the increased foliar sensitivity. Multiple ozone exposures at growth stages V3, R1 and R3 exacerbated the effects noted with a single episode and also reduced nitrogenase activity (reflected in specific and total nodule activity) and shoot and root dry weight. At plant maturity, there was again no evidence of a significant effect of multiple ozone treatment on shoot dry weight or seed yield although root weight remained low. The results would tend to support the hypothesis that older leaves of soybean do not make a significant contribution to seed yield. Although they may be injured by ozone during the reproductive phases of growth, seed yield may not be affected if the younger O(3)-tolerant leaves remain functional.     

Silicon-mediated enhancement of cadmium tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.) grown in cadmium contaminated soil

Pot experiments were performed to study the alleviative effects of exogenous silicon (Si) on cadmium (Cd) phytotoxicity in maize grown in an acid soil experimentally contaminated with Cd. Five treatments were investigated in the first trial consisting of a control (neither Cd nor Si added), Cd added at 20 or 40 mg kg(-1) Cd without or with Si added at 400 mg kg(-1) Si. A following-up trial was conducted with almost the same treatments as in the first trial except that Si was incorporated at 50 mg kg(-1) Si. The results showed that Cd treatment significantly decreased shoot and root dry weight, while addition of Si at both levels significantly enhanced biomass. Addition of Si at 400 mg kg(-1) Si significantly increased soil pH but decreased soil Cd availability, thus reducing Cd concentration in the shoots and roots and total Cd in the shoots. Moreover, more Cd was found to be in the form of specific adsorbed or Fe-Mn oxides-bound fraction in the Si-amended soil. In contrast, soil pH, available Cd and Cd forms were unaffected by addition of Si at 50 mg kg(-1) Si, but shoot Cd concentration in the Si-amended Cd treatments significantly decreased at both Cd levels used compared to the non-Si-amended Cd treatments. Total Cd in the shoots and roots was considerably and significantly higher in the Si-amended Cd treatments than in the non-Si-amended Cd treatments. The xylem sap significantly increased but Cd concentration in the xylem sap significantly decreased in the Si-amended Cd treatments compared with the non-Si-amended Cd treatments irrespective of Cd and Si levels used. The results suggest that Si-enhanced tolerance to Cd can be attributed not only to Cd immobilization caused by silicate-induced pH rise in the soils but also to Si-mediated detoxification of Cd in the plants.     

The enhancement of photodegradation efficiency using Pt-TiO2 catalyst

The residues from the extraction of lead/zinc (Pb/Zn) ores of most Pb/Zn mines are permanently stored in tailings ponds, which require revegetation to reduce their environmental impact. This can only be done if the main constraints on plant establishment are evaluated. This can readily be done by field and greenhouse studies.

To test this, the properties of different tailings from Lechang Pb/Zn mine located at the north of Guangdong Province in southern China have been studied. Physical and chemical properties including concentrations of metals (Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu) in the tailings and soils collected from different sites have been measured. The results showed that tailings contain low nitrogen (0.016–0.075%), low-organic matter (0.58–1.78%), high salt (3.55–13.85 dS/m), and high total and diethylene–tetramine–pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable metal concentrations (total: 1019–1642 μg g⁻¹ Pb, 3078–6773 μg g⁻¹ Zn, 8–23 μg g⁻¹ Cd, and 85–192 μg g⁻¹ Cu; DTPA-extractable: 59–178 μg g⁻¹ Pb, 21–200 μg g⁻¹ Zn, 0.30–1.5 μg g⁻¹ Cd, and 4.3–12 μg g⁻¹ Cu). Aqueous extracts of tailings/soils (10%, 20% and 30%, w/v) from different sites were prepared for testing their effects on seed germination and root elongation of a vegetable crop Brassica chinensis and a grass species Cynodon dactylon. It was found that root elongation provided a better evaluation of toxicity than seed germination. The ranking of toxicity using root elongation was: high-sulfur tailings>tailingdam>sparsely vegetated tailings>densely vegetated tailings>mountain soil for both plants. This order was consistent with DTPA-extractable Pb contents in the tailings and soils. B. chinensis seedlings were then grown in the mixtures of different proportions of tailings and farm soil for 4 weeks, and the results (dry weights of seedlings) were in line with the root elongation test. All these demonstrated that heavy metal toxicity, especially available Pb, low content of nutrient, and poor physical structure were major constraints on plant establishment and colonization on the Pb/Zn mine tailings.