FAS Abstracts 2004 Meeting Page

Agricultural Sciences (AGR): AGR-7

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Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr. Ex marsh, var. deltoides) clonal performance in the greenhouse as woody biomass for phytoremediation of heavy metals.  O.U. ONOKPISE (1), D. ROCKWOOD (2), and J. WALLACE (1). (1) Forestry and Natural Resources Conservation, Division of Agricultural Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, (2) School of Forest Resource Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611. In February  2004, cuttings (ramets) were obtained from 50 cottonwood clones harvested at the North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC), Quincy, Florida. These ramets were planted in 1 gallon (3.8 liters) greenhouse pots for a replicated root development study. An average of 4 ramets per replication for each clone was planted. The potting mix for this study was coconut fiber, perlite, and peat moss in a 1:1:1 ratio by weight. A granulated slow release fertilizer (Osmocote) – 15 N : 10 P : 10 K was applied to pots four weeks after planting. Survival rates (number of ramets sprouting) for each clone were determined at 6 and 8 weeks after planting (WAP). Plant growth as measured by tree height was determined at 8 WAP. Other observations included leaf discoloration, vigor of growth, and presence or absence of pests on leaves of the new sprouts. Plant tissue was analyzed for the composition of heavy metals in the leaves at 8 WAP. Only three (90-7, 109-7 and 11080-7) out of the 50 clones had 100 % survival rates, while the overall survival rate was 35 %. Average tree height was 12.67 cm (with a range of 4.72 cm to 18.35 cm) at 8 WAP. Results of tissue analysis revealed significant clonal variation for some of the heavy metals such as copper.