Investigation of lead effects on some physiological characteristics of Salvia sclarea L.

Lead is the most important metal contaminants threaten the environmental health and impairs nutrient uptake by the plant. Phytoremediation has an important use for remediation of lead-contaminated soils. In order to evaluate the phytoremediation potential and lead accumulation, the effects of lead on some growth and development characters of Salvia sclarea L. were studied. Different concentrations of lead nitrate (0, 5, 30, 100 μM)treatment was applied in a hydroponic culture, and the effects of lead on some physiological characteristics of the plant were considered. The study results showed that by increasing the concentration of lead; shoot and root length, leaf area, the fresh and dry weight of plants, chlorophyll and total protein content of plant organs decreased, while plant lead content increased. Due to the amount of accumulated lead in the plant shoot, S. sclarea is not considered as a lead accumulator plant species. On the other hand, in 5 μM lead treatment, about 50 to 60 mg lead per kg of dry weight of the plant accumulated without having a significant effect on plant growth indices and exhibiting toxicity. Therefore, it can be acknowledged that it is lead resistant to the concentrations of about 5 μM in the environment and is recommended for lead phytoremediation to this concentration.