Title: Effects of exogenous citric acid and malic acid addition on nickel uptake and translocation in leaf mustard (Brassica juncea var. foliosa Bailey) and Alyssum corsicum

Authors: Rongliang Qiu, Wen Liu, Xiaowen Zeng, Yetao Tang, Eric Brewer, Xiaohang Fang

Addresses: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China. ' School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China. ' School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China. ' School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China. ' Viridian Environmental LLC, 77005, Houston, Texas, USA. ' School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China

Abstract: The effects of exogenous citric acid and malic acid on the uptake of nickel (Ni) by the Ni hyperaccumulator Alyssum corsicum and the non-accumulator leaf mustard were studied. Citric acid and malic acid addition reduced Ni uptake by the roots of leaf mustard. Malic acid addition yielded no significant effect on Ni translocation in leaf mustard. Citric acid addition reduced Ni concentration of roots, without significant effect on Ni translocation in A. corsicum. Malic acid at 1.0 mmolL⁻¹ increased Ni concentration in shoots of A. corsicum and also, stimulated the translocation of Ni from root to shoot.

Keywords: nickel; hyperaccumulator; translocation; citric acid; malic acid; Alyssum corsicum; leaf mustard.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2009.026639

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2009 Vol.38 No.1/2, pp.15 - 25

Published online: 22 Jun 2009 *

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