Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Soil contamination by heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd), has a substantial environmental and agricultural risk due to its persistence, toxicity, and tendency to accumulate in living organisms. Cadmium primarily enters the soil through human activities, such as mining, industrial emissions, and the use of phosphate fertilizers, contributing to soil degradation, decreased crop yields, and increased
health risks via the food chain. This study explores the potential of Lepidium campestre (field cress) as a phytoremediation solution for Cd-contaminated agricultural soils. Lepidium campestre was selected for its potential adaptability and close genetic relationship to known cadmium (Cd)- accumulating species, such as Arabidopsis thaliana and Lepidium sativum. For comparison, durum wheat, a
widely grown crop with low Cd tolerance, was also examined. Three Lepidium campestre genotypes, including two biennial types (FC63 and FC82) and a perennial type (FC01), were selected to establish a theoretical baseline for future assessment aimed at identifying the best-performing genotype for remediating cadmium- contaminated soils. Lepidium campestre and durum wheat germination rates in cadmium solution were assessed to highlight potential germination inhibition due to cadmium toxicity. The relative chlorophyll content, fresh weight, and dry weight of plants exposed to different concentrations were measured over 30 days. The results showed that durum wheat germination was significantly suppressed under Cd stress, whereas Lepidium campestre exhibited no substantial germination inhibition. However, notable genotypic differences emerged in biomass
production, with FC01 and FC82 demonstrating higher tolerance to Cd toxicity. These results suggest that specific Lepidium campestre genotypes, particularly
FC01 and FC82, may be promising candidates for phytoremediation due to their resilience and ability to accumulate biomass in the presence of cadmium
(Cd). Future experiments should consider lengthening the evaluation period to facilitate the manifestation of cadmium effects on the plants. Additionally, using soil from contaminated fields can provide insights into the real cadmium concentration amounts in the soil and be used to validate laboratory experiments.