Effect of cadmium in the soil on growth, secondary metabolites and metal uptake inSalvia miltiorrhiza

We investigated the effect of Cd with different concentrations in soil (control, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg kg−1) on Salvia miltiorrhiza. The growth of S. miltiorrhiza was examined at 90 and 120 d, while active components were tested at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 d; Cd uptake was measured at days 0, 90, and 120. The biomass data indicated that high Cd concentration can stimulate the accumulation of biomass after a long treatment. The Cd content in the above- and below-ground parts strongly corresponds to the bioavailable Cd extracted by ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and acetic acid. The Cd content in the below-ground parts of control approached the Cd standards given by World Health Organization after 120 d. The Cd content in the below-ground parts of S. miltiorrhiza at a Cd concentration of 0.5 mg kg−1 exceeded the Cd standards after being grown for 90 and 120 days. The accumulation of hydrosoluble components in the above-ground parts appeared later than that in the below-ground parts. With longer treatment time, high Cd treatment promoted an accumulation of hydrosoluble and liposoluble components. The Cd content in the below-ground plant parts indicated that there was still a risk of exceeding the Cd limit for S. miltiorrhiza grown in the soil contaminated by low-concentration Cd after a long time.