UPTAKE OF ZN (II) BY AN INVASIVE WEED SPECIES PARTHENIUM HYSTEROPHORUS L.

The ability of the invasive weed species Parthenium hysterophorus L. for the accumulation of the heavy metal Zn was studied in a greenhouse experiment. This study was aimed at identifying a metal tolerant species from natural vegetation and assess the phytoextraction potential of the plant. To compare metal concentrations in the aboveground biomass to those in roots and in soils along with nutrients. To study their effect on growth and comparison with metal amended soils treated with EDTA. The Zn accumulated by the test species was increased significantly after 0.1g/kg of EDTA was added to the medium. An increase in metal uptake with increase in test concentrations was observed. The metal uptake could effect the leaf pigments as it reduced with increase in metal exposures and time especially in EDTA treatment. This could be due to the accumulation of Zn. The phosphorus levels were found to be low in higher uptakes of the plant. The BCFs of shoots and roots and TFs being greater than 1 shows the validity of the weed species for hyperaccumulation of the metal and can be a promising species for phytoextraction of heavy metals and remediation of metal contaminated soils which is economical and ecofriendly.