Chrysanthemum and marigold were grown in the pots at five levels of lead (0, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 500 ppm). At lower levels, the applied Pb promoted growth of the plants but at the highest level suppressed the growth. The concentration of Pb in the tissues followed the order: root>stem>leaf>flower. Chrysanthemum recorded higher concentration of Pb in root (649 μg g−1 dw) at 500 ppm of applied Pb than marigold (587 μg g−1dw) at the same level of Pb. Marigold because of its high biomass recorded higher total Pb uptake than chrysanthemum. Therefore, marigold could have a great prospective as a phyremediator of soils contaminated with moderate to relatively high levels of Pb.
Chrysanthemum, lead, marigold, phytoextraction
