[Copper toxicity and accumulation in Elsholtzia splendens].

Elsholtzia splendens is the most widely distributed copper-tolerant plant in the areas along the middle and lower streams of the Yangtze River, China. Copper toxicity and accumulation in Elsholtzia splendens were investigated. The result showed that copper content of 0.5 mmol/kg solution promoted Elsholtzia splendens growth and increased dry mass production. Low concentration copper increased the content of chlorophyll a while high concentration copper decreased it, but copper had very low influence on the content of chlorophyll b. Copper bioaccumulations agree to the copper concentrations in soil, the max was 1500 mg/kg. SOD and POD activities were enhanced by low concentrate copper and restrained by high concentrate copper.