Effect of Copper (Cu) Induced Toxicity on Growth and Yield of Cichorium intybus L. and its Soil Remediation Potential

The present study was based on a hypothesis that excess copper (Cu) in the soil reduces the growth and seed yield of chicory plants and chicory plants have the potential to clean up the Cu-contaminated soil. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the abovementioned hypothesis in which chicory plants were grown in the garden soil contaminated with three doses of copper (150, 450 and 750 mg Cu kg −1 soil) except control and the results were recorded to evaluate the effect of copper-induced toxicity on the vegetative and reproductive growth parameters of Cichorium intybus L. and its soil remediation potential. Results revealed that all Cu treatments decreased the vegetative and reproductive growth parameters of Cichorium intybus . Chlorophyll content (a, b and total) decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) while proline content in the fresh leaves and Cu accumulation in different plant organs increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) on increasing Cu concentration in the soil. The pattern of Cu accumulation in different plant organs was shoot > root > seeds. Cu levels in the seeds obtained from 450 and 750 mg Cu kg −1 soil-treated plants exceeded the permissible limits of the world health organization (WHO). Biological concentration factor (BCF), biological accumulation coefficient (BAC) and translocation factor (TF) values showed that Cichorium intybus absorbed and accumulated a considerable amount of Cu and accumulation of Cu was found to be greater in the shoots than in the roots. Hence Cichorium intybus L. can be used for phytoextraction and is considered a potential candidate to clean up the Cu-contaminated soil.