The accumulating ability and nickel tolerance of Brassicaceae species of the North Caucasus in connection with the problem of phytoremediation

In model experiments in sand culture the wildgrowing species of fam. Brassicaceae flora of the North Caucasus: Alyssum murale Walds. et Kit., A. alyssoides (L.) L., A. campestre (L.) L., Erysimum ibericum (Adam.) DC. were studied for the effects of high concentrations of Ni (1 and 2 mM) on storage capacity and sustainability indicators: biomass accumulation, the level of photosynthetic pigments, the balance of mineral elements. The experimental variants show a different degree of increase in Ni concentrations in compared species, the maximum - in hyperaccumulator A. murale. On the basis of variability of sustainability indicators we compiled a sequence of species tolerances to Ni: A. murale > E. ibericum > A. campestre > A. alyssoides. Species E. ibericum can be used for phytostabilization of Ni contaminated areas and species A. murale and A. campestre - for phytoextraction of nickel from soils.