Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the potential of the woody nickel hyperaccumulator species Blepharidium guatemalense (Standl.) Standl. for agromining in southeastern Mexico. Pot trials consisting of nickel dosing (0, 20, 50, 100, and 250 mg Ni kg⁻¹), and synthetic and organic fertilization were conducted. Field trials were also undertaken with different harvesting regimes of B. guatemalense. Foliar nickel concentrations increased significantly with rising nickel additions, with a 300-fold increase at 250 mg Ni kg⁻¹ treatment relative to the control. Synthetic fertilization strongly increased nickel uptake without any change in plant growth or biomass, whereas organic fertilization enhanced plant shoot biomass with a negligible effect on foliar nickel concentrations. A 5-year-old stand which was subsequently harvested twice per year produced the maximum nickel yield tree⁻¹yr⁻¹, with an estimated total nickel yield of 142 kg ha⁻¹yr⁻¹. Blepharidium guatemalense is a prime candidate for nickel agromining on account of its high foliar Ni concentrations, high bioconcentration (180) and translocation factors (3.3), fast growth rate and high shoot biomass production. Future studies are needed to test the outcomes of the pot trials in the field. Extensive geochemical studies are needed to identify potential viable agromining locations. Novelty Statement Our research team is a pioneer in the discovery of metal hyperaccumulator plants in Mesoamerica with at least 13 species discovered in the last 2 years. This study is the first to assess the potential of nickel agromining (phytomining) in Mexico (and in all the American continent), using one of the strongest nickel hyperaccumulators reported so far. The promising results of this study are the basis for optimal agricultural management of Blepharidium guatemalense.

摘要

本研究的目的是评估木质镍超富集物种Blepharidium guatemalense (Standl.) Standl的潜力。用于墨西哥东南部的农业种植。进行了包括镍剂量（0、20、50、100 和 250 mg Ni kg ^-1）以及合成和有机施肥的盆栽试验。还对危地马拉芽孢杆菌的不同收获方式进行了田间试验。叶面镍浓度随着镍添加量的增加而显着增加，在 250 mg Ni kg ^{-1 时}增加了 300 倍治疗相对于对照。合成施肥大大增加了镍的吸收，而植物生长或生物量没有任何变化，而有机施肥增加了植物枝条生物量，对叶面镍浓度的影响可以忽略不计。随后每年收获两次的 5 年林木产生了最大的镍产量树^-1 yr ^-1，估计总镍产量为 142 kg ha ^-1 yr ^-1。危地马拉白粉菌由于其叶面 Ni 浓度高、生物浓度高 (180) 和易位因子 (3.3)、生长速度快和芽生物质产量高，因此是镍农艺的主要候选者。需要未来的研究来测试现场盆栽试验的结果。需要进行广泛的地球化学研究来确定潜在可行的农耕地点。新颖性声明我们的研究团队是在中美洲发现金属超富集植物的先驱，在过去两年中至少发现了 13 个物种。这项研究是首次使用迄今为止报道的最强镍超富集剂之一来评估墨西哥（以及整个美洲大陆）的镍农杆菌开采（植物开采）的潜力。这项研究的有希望的结果是优化危地马拉白粉菌农业管理的基础。