Crescimento de grama missioneira gigante (Axonopus catharinensis) em solo contendo doses crescentes de cobre

Abstract

The giant missioneira grass (Axonopus catharinensis) exhibits rapid growth, high tillering capacity, and significant biomass production, making it a promising option for the recovery of degraded areas. However, little is known about its performance in soils contaminated with trace elements such as copper. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth of giant missioneira grass in soils containing increasing doses of copper and its potential to accumulate copper in its roots and aerial parts. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using a completely randomized design. The SPAD index was analyzed in vivo, and after harvest, the CuSO₄ concentrations in the roots and aerial parts were determined. The copper concentrations in the aerial part and roots were used to calculate the translocation and bioconcentration factors of copper in the plants. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and regression at a 5% significance level, as well as multivariate analysis through the principal component analysis (PCA) test using Minitab software. The results indicate that the giant missioneira grass functions as a phytostabilizer, as it accumulates high amounts of copper in its roots, making it a promising candidate for projects aimed at the remediation of metal-contaminated areas.