Simultaneous hyperaccumulation of cadmium and manganese in Celosia argentea Linn.

To indentify Mn/Cd co-hyperaccumulatoion in Celosia argentea Linn., 2 pot experiments were conducted using Cd/Mn-amended and real contaminated soils, respectively. The interaction between Cd and Mn with regard to their accumulation in the plants was also assessed. The results indicated that C. argentea can simultaneously hyperaccumulate Cd and Mn. The maximum Cd and Mn concentrations in leaves were 276 and 29,000 mg/kg, respectively. Mn application significantly enhanced the biomass production and Cd accumulation in shoots (p < 0.05). However, Cd addition did not reduce Mn accumulation in the plants. The interactions between Cd and Mn in C. argentea differ from what was previously found in hydroponic experiments. This species grew healthy in soils taken from a Cd/Mn-contaminated site, indicating a high tolerance to Cd and Mn. The transfer and bioaccumulation factors of Cd and Mn were greater than 1, which showed that C. argentea had potential for Cd and Mn phytoextraction. Besides its potential practical benefits, C. argentea is an important resource to study the mechanisms of Cd/Mn hyperaccumulation and tolerance in plants.