Abstract
This study was aimed to evaluate Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb) as a phytoremediator removing cadmium (Cd) contamination. Both plants are planted into 1 ppm, 10 ppm, 100 ppm Cd hydroponics for 7 days during the first experiment. For the second experiment, they are planted into 1 ppm, 2.5 ppm, 5 ppm, 7.5 ppm, 10 ppm Cd hydroponics for 21 days. As a result, Cd absorption rate by these plants was highest in the 1 ppm Cd hydroponics. In this condition, Perennial ryegrass showed a higher Cd absorption rate than that of Tall fescue; however the Cd absorption amount by the former plant was higher than the latter and this tendency was remarkable in higher Cd concentrations. The growth inhibition of Perennial ryegrass and Tall fescue was severe in 10-100 ppm Cd hydroponics. On the other hand, these two plants grew well in 1 ppm Cd hydroponics. It proved that either of these plants have low Cd tolerance. However, in 1 ppm Cd hydroponics, growth inhibition was not recognized with these plants and the Cd absorption amount increased according to the duration. Therefore, this research reached a conclusion that these plants could be considered as an effective Cd phytoremediator in low Cd concentration, such as 1 ppm Cd hydroponics. It also clarified that the Cd tolerance of Tall fescue was superior to Perennial ryegrass.
