Phytoremediation capacities of oriental tobacco varieties: Cadmium and chromium cases

In this study, cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) phytoremediation responses of different tobacco varieties were compared and genetic differences between these varieties were analyzed. Two pot experiments were established with four oriental tobacco varieties, Akhisar, Basma, Dibek and Saribaglar, which were grown for 50 days in media containing 0, 10, 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg of Cd and Cr. Plants were departed as root, stem and leaf, and analyzed for their Cd and Cr amounts. In this regard, Cd and Cr distribution and uptake rates in different plant parts of the varieties were determined. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) values, which are considered to be important criteria for phytoremediation, were also calculated. Results revealed that Basma was the most efficient variety but Dibek was the most inefficient one in terms of biomass formation, Cd and Cr concentrations and uptake rates in the different plant parts. Basma variety with higher BCF values was also found to be more effective than the other varieties for phytoremediation of Cd and Cr. Research results show that this variety can be classified as hyperaccumulator in terms of Cd