Phytoextraction potential of Solanum nigrum L. and Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla L. in Cd-contaminated water

The potential of two Cd-hyperaccumulators, Solarium nigrum L. (SN) and Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla L. (BV), as phytoremediation plants to remove Cadmium (Cd) from contaminated water was evaluated in hydroponics. The results showed that Cd exposure induced chlorosis and inhibited biomass growth in SN. However, these symptoms did not appear in BV. In BV, the Cd concentrations increased from 14.2 to 314.7 mg kg⁻¹ in the shoots and 241.1 to 4547.9 mg kg⁻¹ in the roots when the Cd concentration in the nutrient solution increased from 0.5 to 50 µМ. The corresponding increase in SN was from 7.4 to 100.6 mg kg⁻¹ in the shoots and 30.2 to 2010.7 mg kg⁻¹ in the roots. Generally, ВV showed a higher tolerance and accumulation of Cd, while SN was more efficient for Cd removal due to its higher biomass.