Rhizosphere characteristics of two arsenic hyperaccumulating Pteris ferns

Abstract

Better understanding of the processes controlling arsenic bioavailability in the rhizosphere is important to enhance plant arsenic accumulation by hyperaccumulators. This greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the chemical characteristics of the rhizosphere of two arsenic hyperaccumulators Pterisvittata and Pterisbiaurita. They were grown for 8 weeks in rhizopots containing arsenic-contaminated soils (153 and 266 mg kg− 1 arsenic). Bulk and rhizosphere soil samples were analyzed for water-soluble As (WS-As) and P (WS-P), pH, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Comparing the two plants, P.vittata was more tolerant to arsenic and more efficient in arsenic accumulation than P.biaurita, with the highest frond arsenic being 3222 and 2397 mg kg− 1. Arsenic-induced root exudates reduced soil pH (by 0.74–0.92 units) and increased DOC concentrations (2–3 times) in the rhizosphere, resulting in higher WS-P (2.6–3.8 times higher) compared to the bulk soil. Where there was no difference in WS-As between the rhizosphere and bulk soil in soil-153 for both plants, WS-As in the rhizosphere was 20–40% higher than those in bulk soil in soil-266, indicating that the rate of As-solubilization was more rapid than that of plant uptake. The ability to solubilize arsenic via root exudation in the rhizosphere and the ability to accumulate more P under arsenic stress may have contributed to the efficiency of hyperaccumulator plants in arsenic accumulation.