Effect of cadmium supply levels to cadmium accumulation by Salix

The present investigation reports the results of the cadmium accumulated by Salix matsudana, S. alba var. Tristis and S. babylonica in a pot experiment at six different levels of cadmium supply (0, 0.5, 2, 6, 25, 60 mg/kg). All tested Salix species showed the different abilities to remove cadmium, which depend on species and concentrations level. Cadmium accumulated by the leaves, twigs and roots linearly increased with increasing cadmium supply levels. The higher concentration cadmium treatments significantly promoted the cadmium accumulation. S. matsudana always performed the stronger ability of cadmium accumulation under different cadmium supply treatments, while S. alba var. Tristis and S. babylonica had the poorer accumulation ability. Cadmium in soil was more intensively absorbed in the leaves and twigs for all three Salix species, was not retained in roots and was transferred to aboveground plant tissues. The results indicated that Salix has an excellent potential for cadmium phytoremediation because of its high accumulation ability.