Résumé:
An experiment was conducted to evaluate the combined effect of temperature (26 and 30 °C) and Cr toxicity (0,
100 and 1000 μM Cr) on growth, photosynthesis, water content, Cr and nutrients uptake and translocation. The
role of antioxidative enzyme towards stresses tolerance was also investigated. Results showed that the maximum
relative growth rate and leaf area per plant of Atriplex halimus L. were recorded at 100 μM Cr and 26 °C.
However, presence of Cr reduced net photosynthetic and stomatal conductance rates. Overall, temperature rise
enhanced the toxic effect of Cr by reducing growth and photosynthesis and inducing antioxidant enzymes activities.
Furthermore, temperature rise increased nutrient uptake, as well as nutrient translocation to aboveground
tissues; while it diminished Cr translocation. Finally, roots were the main sink for Cr accumulation in A.
halimus. At 1000 μM Cr, root Cr concentrations reached 7.2 and 9.1 mg g−1 at 26 and 30 °C, respectively; while
shoot Cr concentrations were 0.45 and 0.44 mg g−1 (26 and 30 °C, respectively). The high Cr-accumulation in
roots suggests that A. halimus presents a great potential for phytoremediation, especially phytostabilisation of Cr
contaminated soils.
