Evaluation of the potential of (pelargonium roseum) scented geranium plant to uptake and accumulate lead

The major objective of this investigation was to evaluate the potential of scentedgeranium plant, Pelargonium roseum to uptake and accumulate lead under greenhouseconditions. Plants were grown in an artificial soil system and exposed to a range of leadconcentrations (0-2500mg.L- 1 Pb (NO3)2) in over a 14 day treatment period. The resultsshowed that the uptake and accumulation of lead in shoot and root followed a similartrend. The highest amount of lead accumulation was detected at 2500mg.L- 1 lead nitratein the culture solution that was 86566.68±7864 mg.kg-' DW for roots and4416.04±502.27 mg.kg-' DW for shoots. The linear pattern of uptake suggests theinvolvement of both active and passive transport mechanisms for lead uptake. Finally,because the high concentrations of lead found in shoots of scented geranium plants hasfar exceeded 0.1 % DW, Pelargonium roseum may be a new hyperaccumulator speciesfor this metal and be used for phytoremediation industry.