Effects of soil nitrogen levels on growth and defense of the native and introduced genotypes of alligator weed

土壤氮水平对喜旱莲子草原产地和引入地基因型生长和防御的影响 同种植物生长在资源丰富生境中的个体,其防御水平被认为低于生长在资源匮乏生境中的个体。然而,生境的养分水平如何影响植物的诱导抗性和耐受性,以及这种影响在入侵植物的原产地和引入 地种群间是否存在差异,目前均知之甚少。本研究以入侵植物喜旱莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides)的原产地阿根廷和引入地美国的基因型为研究对象设计同质园实验,以探究土壤氮水平对植物的生长、组成和诱导性[莲草直胸跳甲(Agasicles hygrophila)取食诱导]化学防御以及耐受性的影响。实验中,我们测定了植物总生物量、伸长速率(生长速率的表征)以及叶片和根系中总碳、总氮和三萜皂苷(化学防御物质)的含量。研究结果显示,植物在低土壤氮水平下表现出较高的组成抗性(植物在低土壤氮水平下的叶片三萜皂苷含量高于其在高土壤氮水平的33%)和耐受性[植物被取食后总生物量下降的程度更低(植物在高土壤氮水平和低土壤氮水平下被取食后总生物量分别下降了24%和15%)],而在高土壤氮水平下表现出较高的诱导抗性(在高土壤氮水平下的植物被取食后叶片三萜皂苷含量与空白对照的植物相比升高了24%)。植物的组成抗性和耐受性与生长速率存在权衡,但诱导抗性与生长速率存在显著的正相关性。此外,引入地基因型在低土壤氮水平下叶片碳含量显著低于原产地基因型(-6%),但这种差异在高土壤氮水平下消失。这些结果表明,土壤氮水平 影响植物对不同防御策略的选择偏好,并且在决定引入地基因型的表现时与植食作用存在交互作用。     

兰州市某交通干道土壤重金属分布特征及其对绿化植物的影响

为研究交通运输造成的重金属污染特征及潜在生态风险,选取兰州市某交通干道,利用原子吸收分光光度计检测了金属元素的含量,并利用单因子指数法和潜在生态风险指数法评价了土壤污染程度和潜在生态风险,进而分析了土壤重金属污染对绿化植物叶绿素和Ca含量的影响。结果表明: 城市交通导致土壤重金属Cr、Mn、Zn、Cu和Ni的含量均显著增高,且Cr、Pb和Cu达到了中度污染,潜在生态风险排序为Cu＞Pb＞Cr＞Ni＞Zn＞Mn;槐树、月季、紫叶李和冬青卫矛对交通源重金属Pb、Mn、Zn、Ni等表现出不同程度的积聚作用;落叶植物槐树、月季和紫叶李叶片中叶绿素含量表现为路侧采样点＞对照点,而常绿植物冬青卫矛和侧柏的叶绿素含量为对照点＞路侧采样点,所有绿化植物叶片中Ca含量表现为路侧采样点＞对照点,高的叶绿素和Ca含量可能有利于绿化植物在土壤重金属污染环境中生存。交通运输导致研究区域土壤中重金属Cr、Mn、Zn、Cu和Ni等的积累;槐树、月季、紫叶李和冬青卫矛等对Pb、Mn、Zn和Ni具有不同程度的积聚作用,可推荐为相应重金属污染土壤绿化植物。     

青藏高原东缘窄叶鲜卑花灌丛生长季土壤无机氮对增温和植物去除的响应

为了揭示气候变暖背景下高寒灌丛土壤氮转化过程, 该文研究了青藏高原东缘窄叶鲜卑花(Sibiraea angustata)灌丛生长季节土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量对增温和去除植物的响应。结果表明: 窄叶鲜卑花灌丛土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量具有明显的季节动态。整个生长季节, 土壤硝态氮含量呈先增加后降低的趋势, 而铵态氮含量均表现为一直增加的趋势。在生长季初期和中期, 各处理土壤硝态氮含量均显著高于铵态氮含量, 而在生长季末期土壤硝态氮含量均显著低于铵态氮含量, 说明该区域土壤氮转化过程在生长季初期和中期以硝化作用为主, 而在生长季末期以氨化作用为主。不同时期土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量对增温和去除植物的响应不同: 增温对硝态氮的影响主要发生在生长季中期和末期, 且因植物处理的不同而有显著差异, 增温仅在生长季中期使不去除植物样方铵态氮含量显著升高。去除植物对土壤硝态氮的影响仅表现在对照样方(不增温), 去除植物显著提高了生长季初期和中期土壤硝态氮含量, 显著降低了生长季末期土壤硝态氮含量; 同时去除植物显著降低了增温样方生长季中期土壤铵态氮含量。灌丛植被在生长季初期和中期可能主要吸收土壤硝态氮, 其吸收过程不受土壤增温的影响。     

Responses of soil inorganic nitrogen to increased temperature and plant removal during the growing season in a Sibiraea angustata scrub ecosystem of eastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

为了揭示气候变暖背景下高寒灌丛土壤氮转化过程, 该文研究了青藏高原东缘窄叶鲜卑花(Sibiraea angustata)灌丛生长季节土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量对增温和去除植物的响应。结果表明: 窄叶鲜卑花灌丛土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量具有明显的季节动态。整个生长季节, 土壤硝态氮含量呈先增加后降低的趋势, 而铵态氮含量均表现为一直增加的趋势。在生长季初期和中期, 各处理土壤硝态氮含量均显著高于铵态氮含量, 而在生长季末期土壤硝态氮含量均显著低于铵态氮含量, 说明该区域土壤氮转化过程在生长季初期和中期以硝化作用为主, 而在生长季末期以氨化作用为主。不同时期土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量对增温和去除植物的响应不同: 增温对硝态氮的影响主要发生在生长季中期和末期, 且因植物处理的不同而有显著差异, 增温仅在生长季中期使不去除植物样方铵态氮含量显著升高。去除植物对土壤硝态氮的影响仅表现在对照样方(不增温), 去除植物显著提高了生长季初期和中期土壤硝态氮含量, 显著降低了生长季末期土壤硝态氮含量; 同时去除植物显著降低了增温样方生长季中期土壤铵态氮含量。灌丛植被在生长季初期和中期可能主要吸收土壤硝态氮, 其吸收过程不受土壤增温的影响。     

喀斯特地区植物钙含量特征与高钙适应方式分析

喀斯特地区土壤的高钙含量是影响该地区植物生理特征的最重要环境因素之一。高钙影响植物的光合作用、生长速率及磷代谢, 从而限制了许多物种在该地区的分布。选取贵州4个石漠化程度不同的地区, 测定采集地内45种优势种或常见种的地上部分和地下部分的全钙含量以及土壤的交换性钙含量。通过分析喀斯特地区植物与土壤钙含量的特征发现: 喀斯特地区植物具有较高的钙含量平均值; 土壤交换性钙含量对植物地上部分钙含量的影响总体上不显著, 对植物地下部分钙含量的影响显著; 不同类别植物的钙含量存在显著差异, 蕨类植物地上部分钙含量平均值明显低于被子植物; 不同类别植物钙的分布部位也存在显著差异, 在蕨类植物和单子叶植物中地上部分和地下部分的钙含量相近, 而双子叶植物的地上部分钙含量明显高于地下部分。分析了喀斯特地区14种优势灌木和草本植物地上部分与地下部分钙含量的差异性以及与土壤交换性钙含量的相关关系, 以此为根据将14种优势植物对土壤高钙的适应方式分为3种类型: 随遇型、高钙型和低钙型。随遇型植物的钙含量主要受土壤交换性钙含量影响, 其地上部分和地下部分的钙含量均与土壤交换性钙含量成显著正相关关系; 高钙型植物具有较强的钙富集能力, 其地上部分即使在低钙含量的土壤中也可维持较高的钙含量; 低钙型植物的地上部分即使在高钙含量的土壤中亦可维持较低的钙含量。对植物适应钙的不同方式的研究可用于筛选退化生态系统恢复所需的植物资源。     

北京东郊作物土壤系统中重金属的迁移、分布、积累

 本文研究了北京东郊污灌区重金属在作物—土壤中的迁移、分布、积累规律,证实本区蔬菜中汞含量比粮食作物约大3—15倍,比水果约大6—200倍。麦粒、糙米中的Cu、Hg、Cd、Pb、Ni的含量与土壤含量相关性不显著。架豆中重金属含量与土壤中重金属含量的相关性,只有Zn,Pb达显著水平。白菜土有机质含量与重金属含量相关性达显著水平,而白菜的重金属含量与土壤的重金属含量相关性却不显著。说明除了土壤中重金属的总量外,有效态含量的多少,是影响本区作物吸收积累重金属的主要因素。 本区施污泥的土壤和生长的作物Cd／Zn大部小于1%、盆栽试验证明：施用本区污泥污水对水稻生长发育的影响比施污泥灌清水的影响大些,因此,施用含重金属污泥时,最好不要超过5000斤／亩。大田和室内模拟试验证明：重金属从土壤中迁移到植物,由植物带走输出的量极少,其中以带走输出的Hg、Cd,As相对较多,带走输出的Pb、Cr相对的少些。     

木麻黄对土壤重金属的生长响应及积累特征

为了考察沿海防护林重要树种木麻黄对土壤重金属的耐性及修复潜力,比较了5个较耐寒木麻黄无性系(S-13、S-44、S-48、S-60和S-80) 1年生扦插苗在重金属Cu、Cd、Pb和Mn复合污染土壤中的生长表现、重金属积累和分配特征。土壤重金属设置为对照组(CK)、低浓度组(T1)、中浓度组(T2)和高浓度组(T3)等4个水平。结果表明:5个木麻黄无性系在不同处理组均维持了正常生长,不同无性系的表现有差异,与CK相比,T1、T2和T3显著促进了木麻黄无性系S-13、S-44的生长,但对S-48、S-60和S-80的生长无显著影响; T3显著抑制了S-13和S-44根瘤数,而对S-80则无显著影响,说明5个木麻黄无性系对重金属复合污染表现出较高耐性;木麻黄对重金属的吸收量随着土壤重金属浓度升高而增大;木麻黄对重金属的分配因重金属种类而不同,如Mn的含量为叶状小枝(小枝)茎根,各处理的转运系数均大于1,表明木麻黄具有较强的Mn转运能力,能把较多Mn从根部转运到地上部,地上部的Mn超过总积累量86%; Cu、Cd和Pb的含量为根茎小枝,表明木麻黄能把较多的Cu、Cd和Pb固定在根部,但地上部的重金属积累量超过了总积累量的50%; T3处理下,5个木麻黄无性系的重金属综合生物富集指数(CBCI)无明显差异,表明5个木麻黄无性系对重金属积累能力接近;综合生物量和CBCI表现,木麻黄无性系S-13和S-44对污染土壤具有较强的重金属修复能力;木麻黄对重金属Cu、Cd、Pb和Mn具有较强的耐性和较为突出的积累能力,对于重金属污染土壤尤其是Mn污染土壤的植物修复具有较大应用潜力。     

土壤氮素与光照对盆栽珙桐幼苗光合参数的影响

珙桐是我国特有珍稀保护物种,在植物系统发育和地史变迁研究上有很高的学术地位,国内外学者进行了大量的研究。以濒危植物珙桐(Davidia involucrate)一年生幼苗为试验材料,通过控制土壤氮素含量与光照的方法,研究了不同土壤氮素含量(0mg、200mg、400mg、600mg、800mg)及是否遮光对珙桐幼苗生长和光合参数的影响,探讨土壤氮素及光照对珙桐幼苗生长的影响。结果表明:1)高氮素水平可以减缓在非适生环境下生长的珙桐幼苗光合速率的降低;2)适宜的直射光照可能对珙桐等喜阴植物的幼苗的生长是有利的;3)氮素对由遮光引起的光合参数的降低有补偿作用,但仍无法完全抵消由于遮光所引起的净光合速率的降低。     

城市污泥应用于边坡植被恢复对地表水环境的影响

将城市污泥应用于生态恢复因能避开粮食作物食物链而具有良好前景,但其对地表水环境影响仍不十分清楚.本文将城市污泥与建筑垃圾按1∶1体积比混合为生长基质,覆盖在模拟的煤矸石边坡上,播种8种乡土木本植物,对生长季植物生长情况以及坡面地表水和下渗水的电导率、p H、氮磷钾、重金属、多环芳烃等含量进行分析.结果表明:坡面植物生长良好,平均覆盖度达60%;地表水和下渗水的p H值近中性,变化不大,而电导率、氮磷钾、重金属和多环芳烃含量均较高,其中,氮、磷含量在整个生长季超过国家地表水环境质量Ⅴ类水质标准;7月重金属含量最高,其中,As含量只达地表水环境质量Ⅳ~Ⅴ类标准,其余重金属含量多达Ⅱ~Ⅳ标准;随着夏季雨水淋洗增加以及植物-土壤系统对化学物质的吸收、降解和固着作用,地表水和下渗水的电导率、氮磷钾、重金属和多环芳烃含量均显著下降,生长季后期重金属含量达到地表水环境质量Ⅱ~Ⅲ类标准,多环芳烃含量减少约一半.将城市污泥直接应用在煤矸石边坡生态恢复中有利于植物生长,植物-土壤系统使得生长基质中的有害物含量逐渐降低,对地表水环境的负影响主要表现为氮、磷的富营养化,但总体上其环境安全性可控.     

黄河口盐地碱蓬湿地土壤-植物系统重金属污染评价

以黄河口盐地碱蓬湿地为例,评价了淹水和非淹水区湿地表层土壤As、Cd、Cu、Cr、Pb和Zn 6种重金属的污染程度及其在土壤-植物系统中的迁移、富集特征,分析了不同积水深度和土壤理化性质对研究区土壤重金属含量的影响.研究结果表明,与土壤或沉积物质量标准相比,黄河口盐地碱蓬湿地土壤受As和Cd污染最严重,而其它重金属污染较轻;非淹水土壤Cd、Cr和Zn含量高于淹水湿地,而As、Cu和Pb则较低;而且淹水土壤As含量随积水深度增加而呈下降趋势,但积水深度对其他重金属含量的影响不明显.相关性分析结果表明,按照受土壤关键影响因子的不同重金属(除As外)可以分为两类:第一类为Cd、Cr和Zn,这些重金属含量受土壤pH值和盐分影响较大,且相互间存在显著正相关关系,表明它们可能有相同的来源;第二类为Pb和Cu,它们受土壤pH值、盐分和有机质的影响,且Pb和Cu之间存在显著正相关关系.除Cr、Cu和Zn外,重金属在盐地碱蓬的根系内一般不发生显著富集,但绝大多数重金属都表现出地上部分的含量比根系更高的现象.     

火电厂周边不同生物结皮细菌群落特征差异及其影响因素

为探究大气降尘重金属污染对矿区周边不同类型生物结皮细菌群落结构的影响,利用高通量测序技术分析位于宁东能源化工基地典型火电厂周边的3类生物结皮(藻结皮ZB、混生结皮HB、苔藓结皮TB)和对照(CK,裸土)的细菌丰度和群落结构,并探讨了影响细菌群落结构的环境因子。结果表明: 不同类型生物结皮的理化性质和重金属含量存在差异,且由于生物结皮对大气降尘重金属的富集作用造成各类结皮均达重度污染级别。在相对丰度排名前10的优势细菌门中,芽单胞菌门、蓝细菌门在不同类型生物结皮之间差异显著。细菌群落α多样性由高到低排序依次为CK>TB>HB>ZB。非度量多维排序(NMDS)结果显示,裸土细菌群落与其他3种生物结皮存在明显差异。相关性分析表明,生物结皮演替对细菌群落组成具有显著影响,细菌多样性和组成与pH、养分、重金属含量等密切相关。放线菌门、绿弯菌门相对丰度与pH值呈显著正相关关系,而与全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)、Pb、Zn、Cd均呈显著负相关关系;冗余分析结果表明,TN、pH、TP、有机碳(SOC)是影响3种生物结皮细菌群落α多样性以及一些优势菌群相对丰度的主要土壤环境因子,而重金属Pb、Zn、Cd是影响细菌群落结构的主要重金属元素,对细菌群落数量和多样性有抑制或刺激作用。说明pH、重金属和养分是影响结皮细菌群落组成的关键因子。总体而言,长期的重金属富集作用会对生物结皮的细菌多样性和群落组成产生影响。     

Performance of rose scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) in heavy metal polluted soil vis-à-vis phytoaccumulation of metals

An investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect of heavy metal toxicity on growth, herb, oil yield and quality and metal accumulation in rose scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) grown in heavy metal enriched soils. Four heavy metals (Cd, Ni, Cr, and Pb) each at two levels (10 and 20 mg kg–1 soil) were tested on geranium. Results indicated that Cr concentration in soil at 20 mg kg–1 reduced leaves, stem and root yield by 70, 83, and 45%, respectively, over control. Root growth was significantly affected in Cr stressed soil. Nickel, Cr, and Cd concentration and accumulation in plant increased with higher application of these metals. Chromium, nickel and cadmium uptake was observed to be higher in leaves than in stem and roots. Essential oil constituents were generally not significantly affected by heavy metals except Pb at 10 and 20 ppm, which significantly increased the content of citronellol and Ni at 20 ppm increased the content of geraniol. Looking in to the higher accumulation of toxic metals by geranium and the minimal impact of heavy metals on quality of essential oil, geranium can be commercially cultivated in heavy metal polluted soil for production of high value essential oil.     

镉污染地区番茄品种的筛选及其抗氧化能力

为了筛选可供利用的番茄污染安全品种(Pollution-safe cultivar,PSC),减少镉(Cd)污染地区食品安全隐患,通过土培及水培试验研究了南方地区常见不同番茄(Solanumlycopersicum)品种对Cd的积累差异.首先利用土培试验在2.94 mg/kg Cd胁迫下从25个番茄品种中筛选出高低积累...     

Application of in situ cage cultures of phytoplankton for monitoring heavy metal pollution in two Norwegian fjords

A simple apparatus for in situ use of the cage culture technique for growing planktonic algae has been developed and used to follow growth and metal uptake of three diatoms in two Norwegian fjords polluted by heavy metals. Continuous pumping of sea water through a chelating resin and continuous water sampling was used to obtain average values for dissolved and particulate heavy metal content at the various test sites. The metals investigated (zinc, copper, lead, cadmium, and mercury) showed differences in the proportion of dissolved to particulate fractions.The three species of diatoms tested gave systematic growth responses to heavy metal pollution in the moderately polluted fjord; one alga died, one showed reduced growth rate at the more contaminated site compared with those at less polluted sites, while the most tolerant alga was apparently not affected. In the heavily polluted fjord only the most tolerant alga survived, showing decreasing growth rate with increasing pollution.Uptake of heavy metals increased generally with increasing heavy metal content in the sea water. The contents in the algae grown in the most polluted fjord were much higher than those obtained in the less polluted fjord, which were higher than the contents reported for algae from non-contaminated areas.     

Effectivity of host-Rhizobium leguminosarum symbiosis in soils receiving sewage water containing heavy metals

Disposal of sewage water in cultivated soils often containing considerable amount of potentially toxic metals such as Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, Pb and Cr can be beneficial or harmful to plant growth, rhizobial survival, nodulation and nitrogen fixation. Soil samples from 14 such locations were collected. Symbiotic effectivity of host-Rhizobium leguminosarum symbiosis in these soils was assessed. The total metal contents of Cd, Cu, Zn and Ni in all the 14 samples collected from farmer's fields receiving sewage water ranged between 1.3 and 6.7, 55.8-353.2, 356.0-1028.0 and 90.0-199.7 mg kg(-1) of soil, respectively. In Rohtak 1 soil, levels of Cd, Cu and Zn were highest while Ni was highest in Sonipat 2 soil. The content of available Cd, Cu, Zn and Ni in these soils ranged from 1.0-29.3; 6.2-47.0; 2.4-13.5, respectively, and was 2-9 percent of their total metal contents. All the N2 fixing parameters in pea and Egyptian clover were adversely affected by the presence of heavy metals. Available Cd and Cu contents significantly affected the N contents of pea and Egyptian clover plants, whereas Ni contents were negatively correlated with the plant biomass of pea and Egyptian clover.     

新疆棉田土壤质量综合评价方法

以新疆主要棉区为研究对象,测定了哈密、博乐、昌吉、奎屯、石河子、阿克苏及喀什棉田土壤耕层的pH、盐分、有机质、全氮、速效磷、速效钾及Cr、Cu、Zn、As、Pb 共计11个指标,综合分析土壤理化性质和重金属含量,采用土壤质量综合指数(SQI)对新疆主要棉区棉田土壤质量进行综合评价.结果表明: 新疆棉区棉田土壤呈碱性,pH均值为7.87,盐分含量均值为3.44 g·kg^-1,为轻度盐化土壤,有机质和全氮含量均偏低,速效磷、速效钾含量较为丰富,与第二次全国土壤普查数据相比,土壤pH、盐分含量、有机质和全氮均呈下降趋势,土壤速效磷明显增长,部分地区土壤速效钾呈现出不同程度的升高趋势;Cr、Cu、Zn、As、Pb 5种重金属含量分别为45.88、40.66、68.30、12.88、16.68 mg·kg^-1,均未超过国家二级标准,但与新疆土壤元素背景值相比,Cu、Zn、As均有累积现象.当重金属内梅罗综合污染指数(PN)小于0.5时,土壤理化性质越好,土壤综合质量越好.土壤有机质、全氮、Cu、Zn和As是影响新疆棉区棉田土壤质量的重要因素.新疆棉区棉田土壤质量总体属于中等水平,昌吉、奎屯质量最高,SQI为0.52,阿克苏质量最低,SQI为0.31,不同棉区土壤质量呈现为:北疆>东疆>南疆.     

太湖地区水稻土的健康质量问题及调控对策

从可持续生产安全、营养农产品角度 ,比较系统地阐述了土壤健康质量的概念和内涵 .同时根据土壤健康质量的概念 ,对太湖地区 13个省市级水稻丰产示范方及其灌溉河流淤泥进行了调查 .结果表明 ,太湖地区水稻土N、P含量相对较高 ,但引起面源污染的可能性较小 ,同样水稻土中的重金属含量基本上在环境背景值范围内 ,但点源污染不可忽视 .DDT和六六六的残留也在标准允许范围内 ,生命有益元素Se处于相对缺乏程度 .然而 ,由于乡镇企业的发展 ,三废的肆意排放 ,灌溉河流的富营养化及重金属污染极为严重 .部分河流淤泥中重金属Cu和Zn的含量分别高达 5 4和 7 2mg·kg-1.针对上述情况及发展趋势 ,提出了一些相应的主要控制措施 .     

Biochemical changes and adaptive strategies of plants under heavy metal stress

Heavy metal contamination of soil, aqueous waste stream and ground water causes major environmental and human health problems. Heavy metals are major environmental pollutants when they are present in high concentration in soil and show potential toxic effects on growth and development in plants. Due to unabated, indiscriminate and uncontrolled discharge of hazardous chemicals including heavy metals into the environment, plant continuously have to face various environmental constraints. In plants, seed germination is the first exchange interface with the surrounding medium and has been considered as highly sensitive to environmental changes. One of the crucial events during seed germination entails mobilization of seed reserves which is indispensable for the growth of embryonic axis. But, metabolic alterations by heavy metal exposure are known to depress the mobilization and utilization of reserve food by affecting the activity of hydrolytic enzymes. Some plants possess a range of potential mechanisms that may be involved in the detoxification of heavy metals by which they manage to survive under metal stress. High tolerance to heavy metal toxicity could rely either on reduced uptake or increase planned internal sequestration which is manifested by an interaction between a genotype and its environment. Such mechanism involves the binding of heavy metals to cell wall, immobilization, exclusion of the plasma membrane, efflux of these toxic metal ions, reduction of heavy metal transport, compartmentalization and metal chelation by tonoplast located transporters and expression of more general stress response mechanisms such as stress proteins. It is important to understand the toxicity response of plant to heavy metals so that we can utilize appropriate plant species in the rehabilitation of contaminated areas. Therefore, in the present review attempts have been made to evaluate the effects of increasing level of heavy metal in soils on the key behavior of hydrolytic and nitrogen assimilation enzymes. Additionally, it also provides a broad overview of the strategies adopted by plants against heavy metal stress.     

Phytochelatins as biomarkers for heavy metal stress in maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): combined effects of copper and cadmium

Heavy metal contaminated soils often show increased levels of more than one metal, e.g. copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb) or nickel (Ni). In case such soils are used for crop production, prediction of yield reduction or quality decline due to heavy metals in the soil is inadequate when based only on chemical soil analysis. The use of biomarkers such as phytochelatins (PC), non-protein thiols specifically induced in plants upon exposure to heavy metals, may be an additional tool or diagnostic criterion in heavy metal research and in practice. In the present work, Cu and Cd uptake and induction of PC synthesis are studied with hydroponically grown maize and wheat plants exposed to mixtures of the two metals. We observed a close positive relationship between the concentrations of Cd and PC in the plant shoot material. A decreased shoot concentration of Cd after addition of Cu, due to metal competition at common root absorption sites, coincided with lower shoot PC levels. Also differences in metal uptake and xylary metal transport among the two plant species were reflected in corresponding differences in PC concentration. The observed direct relationship between shoot PC concentration and the degree of metal-induced growth inhibition makes the use of PC promising for the purpose tested for.