Foliar and soil applications of nanosilicon affected the growth, metals accumulation, and volatile oils of Houttuynia cordata grown in contaminated soils

• Published in: Industrial crops and products 2022-04, Vol.178, p.114622, Article 114622
• Main Authors: Ma, Hongliang, Huang, Yanjun, Wang, Jiwen, Hu, Qianqian, Cheng, Jinle, Huang, Luqi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Heavy metals; Houttuynia cordata Thunb; Nanosilica (nano-Si); Volatile oil
• ISSN: 0926-6690; 1872-633X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.114622

Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are the most concerning heavy metals that can cause direct and indirect damage to humans, animals and plants. Thus, there is a need to reduce Cd and Pb accumulation in plants grown in Cd and Pb cocontaminated soils and ensure the quality and safety of foods and plant medicines. The objective of this study was to compare and evaluate the effects of foliar and soil applications of nanosilicon (nano-Si) on plant biomass, metal accumulation and volatile oils in Houttuynia cordata grown in Cd and Pb cocontaminated soil. The results showed that foliar and soil applications of nano-Si significantly increased Si concentration and the dry weight of roots, as well as shoots and leaves in Houttuynia cordata, whereas the Cd and Pb concentrations decreased obviously, except the Cd concentration in the roots. High doses of nano-Si were more effective in reducing Cd and Pb concentrations. Compared with soil application, foliar application of nano-Si was not only more effective but also more economical due to 85% less nano-Si application. In addition, the applications of nano-Si affected the volatile oils in H. cordata by increasing the contents of alkanes and aromatic compounds and reducing the ester contents. Overall, nano-Si foliar application was a suitable approach to simultaneously reduce both the Cd and Pb concentrations in plants grown in Cd and Pb cocontaminated soil by alleviating Cd and Pb toxicity in plant and increasing the plant growth and biomass. •Nano-Si increased the biomass of H. cordata under Cd and Pb stress.•Nano-Si increased Si accumulation in H. cordata under Cd and Pb stress.•Nano-Si reduced Cd and Pb accumulation by alleviating Cd and Pb toxicity in H. cordata.•Nano-Si affected the volatile oils in H. cordata under Cd and Pb stress.