Study of Metal Tolerance / Accumulation in <em>Festuca arundinacea</em> Schreb. From a Serpentine Site in North Carolina

<p>The prevailing conditions in metalliferous soils are usually hostile for plant growth, but some plant species are still able to thrive in these substrates. <em>Festuca arundinacea</em> Schreb. plants were found to thrive on serpentine soils containing high concentrations of Cr and Ni. These plants contained higher concentrations of Ni in their roots than in their shoots. Hydroponic growth experiments with 350 &#181;M and 650 &#181;M Ni singularly and in combination revealed that more Cr was accumulated at the roots. The opposite was the case for Ni. The same experiments showed no difference between plants from serpentine and control soils in terms of growth and metal uptake. Ni was found to be toxic to control <em>Festuca arundinacea</em> plants at concentrations of at least 50 &#181;M. The uptake of Ni in <em>Festuca arundinacea</em> was increased by an increase in the concentration of Ni and a decrease the pH of the substrate.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS (Master of Science)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - restricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Binda, Nkongho Collins

• hyperaccumulation
• Tolerance
• serpentine
• Festuca arundinacea
• Earth Sciences
• Physical Sciences and Mathematics
• Soil Science

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1448

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-2641