Clonal variation in growth, arsenic and heavy metal uptakes of hybrid Eucalyptus clones in a Mediterranean environment

Variation in growth, arsenic and heavy metal uptakes by aboveground tissues (leaves, stems and branches) of 13 hybrid Eucalyptus clones selected for biomass production in a Mediterranean environment (E. camaldulensis × E. viminalis; E. camaldulesis × E. grandis; E. camaldulensis × E. globulus subsp. bicostata) was investigated on agricultural soils field-contaminated with arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chrome (Cr), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in an ex situ nursery experiment in central Italy. Large variation in growth and contaminant uptake amongst the tested clones was observed. All plants survived and 12 clones grew better than the control (E. camaldulensis). All clones accumulated the contaminants to which they were exposed: As, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations were significantly higher in leaves than in stems and branches, supporting the potential for phytoremediation of these contaminants by Eucalyptus short rotation woody crops (SRWC). Significant positive correlations between the average contents of Cd–Pb, Cd–Cu, Cd–Zn, Pb–Cu, Pb–Zn and Cu–Zn in the aboveground tissues were detected. Clones revealed better phytoextraction performance than that of the control. Four promising clones for biomass production and phytoremediation were identified for prospective use in SRWC on contaminated soils in Mediterranean environments.