Abutilon indicum L.: a prospective weed for phytoremediation.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Plant Biology
• Bioremediation

Background:

• Soil contamination with heavy metals like cadmium (Cd) poses significant environmental risks.
• Phytoremediation offers a sustainable and cost-effective approach to remediate metal-polluted soils.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the potential of Abutilon indicum L. for phytoremediation of cadmium-contaminated soil.
• To determine the uptake and accumulation patterns of cadmium in A. indicum.

Main Methods:

• A. indicum plants were cultivated in soil spiked with varying concentrations of cadmium (0-25 mg/kg).
• Cadmium content in plant roots and shoots was analyzed at 30, 60, and 90 days.
• Plant growth and physiological parameters (chlorophyll, proline) were assessed.

Main Results:

• Cadmium accumulation increased with metal concentration and exposure time, with roots accumulating 4.3-7.7 times more Cd than shoots.
• Higher Cd levels reduced plant growth initially, but plants showed adaptability by 90 days.
• Bioconcentration factor (BCF) >1 and translocation factor (TF) <1 indicated A. indicum's suitability for phytoremediation.

Conclusions:

• Abutilon indicum is a promising candidate for phytoremediation of cadmium-contaminated soils due to its high accumulation potential and adaptability.
• Employing indigenous weed species like A. indicum presents an ecologically sound and economical strategy for managing heavy metal pollution.