Study on the performance of two white poplar clones grown in heavy-metal contaminated soil and irrigated with municipal effluent

Abstract

In this study, the effect of irrigation with municipal effluent on performance of two clones of Populus alba after one year growth was investigated. The test was done in a completely randomized design with two factors: 1) soil in two levels and 2) poplar clones in two levels. After one year growth, in both poplar clones, significant increase (P ≤ 0.01) in growth and biomass parameters of plants treated by soil irrigated with municipal effluent was observed with the highest values in P. alba 44/13 clone. Also, in both poplar clones, treatment of plants with soil affected by municipal effluent resulted in significant increase (P ≤ 0.01) of nutrient and heavy metal concentration in plant organs compared to control plants. In both poplar clones, the highest uptake and accumulation of Fe, Cu, Ni, Cr and Pb were in the roots and Zn and Mn in the leaves. The effect of clone on the uptake and accumulation of most micronutrients and heavy metals was significant (P ≤ 0.05). In general, the plants of P. alba 20/45 accumulated higher amounts of micronutrients and heavy metals in plant organs. The results of the present study showed that after one year growth, P. alba 44/13 clone had better growth performance and biomass production and P. alba 20/45 clone demonstrated higher uptake and accumulation potential of most micronutrients and heavy metals in plant organs. In general, due to good performance of two studied poplar clones, both poplar clones can be considered for wood farming in lands affected by municipal effluent.

Keywords

• : biomass
• growth
• municipal effluent
• populus alba
• wood farming