Differential Growth and Metal Accumulation Response ofBrachiaria MuticaandLeptochloa Fuscaon Cadmium and Lead Contaminated Soil

This work aims to assess growth, physiology, and metal uptake response ofBrachiaria muticaandLeptochloa fuscaunder different contamination levels of Cd (10 and 50 mg kg(-1)) and Pb (50 and 250 mg kg(-1)) stress. Results of pot trial showed increasing metal concentration affectedB. muticamore as compared toL. fusca. InB. muticametal stress substantially reduced shoot dry biomass, root dry biomass, total chlorophylls, and carotenoids contents by 89%, 85%, 65%, and 61%, respectively, while enhanced the SOD activity up to 62 U min(-1) g(-1)FW.L. fuscashowed better growth, chlorophylls and carotenoid contents, SOD activity (up to 79 U min(-1) g(-1)FW), shoot metal uptake potential (Cd 110 mu g pot(-1), Pb 91.57 mu g pot(-1)), and root metal concentration (Cd 126 mg kg(-1)dm, Pb 117 mg kg(-1)dm) compared toB. muticaunder Pb and Cd stress. While both grass species showed metal translocation factor less than unity under all levels of metal stress. Keeping in view the above results, it is concluded thatL. fuscahaving better growth and physiology with TF < 1 could be used for phytostabilization of Pb and Cd to reclaim the soil having moderate to lower levels of contamination.