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Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology ›› 2017, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (4): 1397-1406.doi: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.201704.005

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Heavy metal tolerance of Miscanthus plants and their phytoremediation potential in abandoned mine land

WU Dao-ming1, CHEN Xiao-yang1,2, ZENG Shu-cai1*   

  1. 1College of Forestry & Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
    2Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Energy Plant Resources and Utilization, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou 510642, China
  • Received:2016-07-06 Online:2017-04-18 Published:2017-04-18
  • Contact: * E-mail: sczeng@scau.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31270675) and the Science and Technology Program of Guangdong (2014A020216032,2015B020207002)

Abstract: Miscanthus has been recognized as promising candidate for phytoremediation in abandoned mine land, because of its high tolerance to heavy metals and bioenergy potential. Miscanthus has been reported tolerant to several heavy metal elements. However, it has not been recognized as hyperaccumulator for these elements. The detailed mechanisms by which Miscanthus tolerates these heavy metal elements are still unclear. According to recent studies, several mechanisms, such as high metabolic capacity in root, an abundance of microbes in the root-rhizosphere, and high capacity of antioxidation and photosynthesis might contribute to enhance the heavy metal tolerance of Miscanthus. Miscanthus has a certain potential in the phytoremediation of abandoned mine land, because of its high suitability for the phytostabilization of heavy metals. Moreover, Miscanthus cropping is a promising practice to enhance the diversity of botanical species and soil organism, and to improve soil physical and chemical properties. Here we reviewed recent literatures on the biological characteristics and the heavy metal tolerance of Miscanthus, and its phytoremediation potential in abandoned mine land. A basic guideline for using Miscanthus in abandoned mine land phytoremediation and an outlook for further study on the mechanisms of heavy metals tolerance in Miscanthus were further proposed. We hoped to provide theoretical references for phytoremediation in abandoned mine land by using Miscanthus.