Abstract
Hydroponics experiment was conducted to identify cadmium (Cd) tolerance and phytoextraction potential of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) seedlings grown under different levels of Cd. Application of Cd adversely affected the overall growth and ultrastructural characteristics of moso bamboo. At the highest Cd concentration (400 mu M), the growth of moso bamboo seedlings was significantly inhibited, and Cd concentrations in leaves, stems and roots reached the maximum of 25.6, 129.8 and 377 mg kg(-1), respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the excessive Cd concentrations caused formation of abundant inclusions in the root and stem. The ultrastructural analysis using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the excessive Cd concentrations caused abnormal-shaped chloroplasts, disappearance of endoplasmic reticulum, and shrinkage of nucleus and loss of thylakoid membranes. It is suggested that use of moso bamboo as experimental material provides a new perspective for remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil due to its deep root system and larger biomass. However, mechanisms of Cd uptake and accumulation as well as metal interactions within the plant cell need to be investigated further.