The effect of elevated Zn concentrations on seed germination and young seedling growth of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) swingle

Some heavy metals such as Zn are essential micronutrients for plants. However, in a high concentration in soils they could cause repression of growth with toxicity symptoms. It is therefore very important to investigate the species that are tolerant to high concentration of zinc which have the ability to survive on soils contaminated with heavy metals. This paper presents an investigation of the effect of elevated Zn concentrations on the germination and seedling growth of the invasive tree species Ailanthus altissima (Swingle) Mill., aimed at a better understanding of its adaptation ability to heavy metal stress and potential use in phytoremediation. Seeds of Ailanthus altissima were treated with Zn concentrations of 25, 100 and 250 μM in form of zinc sulfate. After germination, the seedlings at the stage of first leaf development were transferred into a growing chamber in the hydroponic system where zinc sulfate was added in the concentrations of 100, 250 and 500 μM. The results showed that Zn treatments, including the highest concentration, have caused a reduction in seed germination parameters. Considering the hypocotyl and radicle length, there was no significant statistical difference among the treatments, but further growth of young seedlings in hydroponics under high concentrations of Zn, cause an inhibition of the root system growth and repress development of assimilating organs. Seeds and seedlings of A. altissima are tolerant to elevated Zn concentrations at early stages of development. However, later on with leaves development, the inhibitory effect of the strongest concentrations is expressed. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 43007: Studying climate change and its influence on the environment: impacts, adaptation and mitigation