Copper binding capacity of root exudates of cultivated plants and associated weeds

Cu binding to root exudates of two cultivated plants, wheat (Triticum aesti vum) and rape (Brassica napus), and two weeds associated with wheat, dog da isy (Matricaria inodora) and cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), was studied in vitro under hydroponic and sterile conditions. Nutrient solutions were prep ared with or without P. A MetPLATE microbiological test was used to assess the metal complexing capacity of root exudates. In the P-deficient solution s, no exudation was observed for any of the four plants; consequently, no C u binding occurred. When P was present in the nutrient solutions. the plant exudates displayed differing abilities to complex Cu. No difference was de tected in the binding capacity of the dog daisy or cornflower, and the blan k [heavy metal binding capacity (HMBC)=1.07, 1.40 and 1.00, respectively]; however, the rape and wheat exudates were found to complex Cu in rhizospher ic solutions (HMBC=1.73 and 3.00, respectively). The concentrations of exud ed organic C were 1.2, 10.8, 15.3 and 15.7 mg l(-1) for the dog daisy, corn flower, wheat and rape, respectively. These results suggest that the nature , as well as the amount, of the organic compounds exuded by plant root, is important in determining the extent of Cu complexation.