Abstract: Five Cd-resistant and three Cu-resistant plant cell lines are obtained by cultivation in media containing 100 and 200 μmol Cd and Cu.Their relative multiplying rates are significantly higher than those of their parents and remain stable even with an obvious fluctuation of the concentrations of Cd and Cu. The accumulation of Cd and Cu by the cultured lines varies with the type of cells: some can reduce the absorption of Cd and Cu to raise their resistance, and others can absorb more Cd and Cu, but have a relatively stable accumulation to withstand the fluctuation of Cd and Cu in the environment. The nutrient absorption of cultured lines is stronger or weaker than that of their parents, suggesting that they are adapted to the environment by metabolism regulation. To some extents, the lines retain their characteristics obtained from cultivation, but still have a trend of reversing to their parents characterislics. It's thought that the tolerance is non geno-controlled.

Key words: Heavy metal, Plant resistance, Cell culture