Evaluation of the potential of Atriplex halimus stem cuttings for phytoremediation of metal-polluted soils

The use of cuttings in the restoration of degraded ecosystems presents important advantages compared to seed sowing. The applicability of cuttings from some coastal plants for the recovery of soils contaminated with heavy metals has been recently recognised. A greenhouse experiment was carried out to analyse the effects of a concentration range of copper (0-9 mmol l−1) on the establishment, growth and photosynthetic performance of Atriplex halimus cuttings, in order to determine the phytotoxicity threshold values of plants from cuttings and assess the possible physiological effects of this metal. The cuttings from the study species showed the ability to survive, root and grow under Cu concentrations of up to 9 mmol l−1. Although no effects were observed in the photosynthetic apparatus, concentrations of 4.5 mmol l−1 and higher caused a decrease in growth, net photosynthetic rate and rooting percentages. The present study allows concluding that the use of cuttings from Atriplex halimus could be a valuable and efficient tool for the restoration of vegetation in Cu-polluted coastal ecosystems.