Heat stress increases the efficiency of EDTA in phytoextraction of heavy metals

Solution culture and pot experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of root damage on phytoextraction of heavy metals. In hydroponics, roots of corn (Zea mays L.) seedlings were pretreated with heating stress, and then were exposed to 250 μM Pb + 250 μM EDTA solutions for 7 d. The results showed that the preheating treatment significantly increased Pb transportation from roots to shoots. In pot experiments, the effect of hot EDTA solution (95 °C) on the accumulation of heavy metal in the shoot of corn and pea (Pisum sativum L.) was also examined. Compared to normal EDTA (25 °C) treatment, application of hot EDTA solution to the soil surface increased the total removal of Pb in shoots of corn and pea by about 8- and 12-fold, respectively, in an artificially multimetal-contaminated soil. In addition, hot EDTA solution increased the shoot Cu removal by about 6-fold for corn and 9-fold for pea, respectively, in a naturally Cu-contaminated soil. These results suggested that exposure of roots to high temperature could increase the efficiency of EDTA on the accumulation of heavy metals in shoots. This new approach can help to minimize the amount of chelate applied in the field and reduce the potential risk of heavy metals’ leaching.