EDTA-assisted phytoextraction of lead and cadmium by <i>Pelargonium cultivars</i> grown on spiked soil

The aim of this study was to assess EDTA-assisted Pb and Cd phytoextraction potential of locally grown Pelargonium hortorum and Pelargonium zonale. Plants were exposed to different levels of Pb (0–1500 mg kg−1) and Cd (0–150 mg kg−1) in the absence or presence of EDTA (0–5 mmol kg−1). P. hortorum and P. zonale accumulated 50.9% and 42.2% higher amount of Pb in shoots at 1500 mg kg−1 Pb upon addition of 5 mmol kg−1 EDTA. Plant dry biomass decreased 46.8% and 64.3% for P. hortorum and P. zonale, respectively at the combination of 1500 mg kg−1 Pb and 5 mmol kg−1 EDTA. In Cd and EDTA-treated groups, P. hortorum and P. zonale accumulated 2.7 and 1.6-folds more Cd in shoots at 4 and 2 mmol kg−1 EDTA, respectively, in 150 mg Cd kg−1 treatment. Plant dry biomass of P. hortorum and P. zonale was reduced by 46.3% and 71.3%, respectively, in soil having 150 mg Cd kg−1 combined with 5 mmol kg−1 EDTA. Translocation factor and enrichment factor of both plant cultivars at all treatment levels were >1. Overall, the performance of P. hortorum was better than that of P. zonale for EDTA-assisted phytoextraction of Pb and Cd.