Physiological responses and tolerance mechanisms to Pb in two xerophils: Salsola passerina Bunge and Chenopodium album L.

► We studied physiological responses and tolerance mechanisms to Pb in two xerophils. ► Salsola passerina Bunge showed a greater Pb tolerance than Chenopodium album L. in terms of seed germination and seedling growth. ► Compared with Ch. album, S. passerina exhibited a specific antioxidative defense mechanism and produced lower malondialdehyde (MDA) under higher Pb stress. ► The tolerance mechanisms of S. passerina under higher Pb stress were cell wall precipitation and transform the free Pb into anchorage state. ► S. passerina can be used as an ideal species for phytoremediation of Pb contaminated arid lands.