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Open Access

ARTICLE

Weed Species Associated with Cacao Cultivation Exhibiting Phytoremediation Potential for Cadmium and Lead: A Study Based on Bioconcentration and Translocation Factors

Lorena E. Romero-Chávez1,*, Emilee Calero-Rios2, Uriel Aldava-Pardave3, Elvis Ottos-Díaz1, Noelito Salgado-Veramendi3, Eldhy S. Huerto-Pajuelo4, Carolina Ibarra-Porras4, Richard A. Solórzano-Acosta2
1 Estación Experimental Agraria Pichanaki, Dirección de Servicios Estratégicos Agrarios, Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria, Pichanaki District, Junin, Peru
2 Centro Experimental La Molina, Dirección de Servicios Estratégicos Agrarios, Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria, La Molina, Lima, Peru
3 Estación Experimental Agraria Pucallpa, Dirección de Desarrollo Tecnológico Agrario, Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria, Pucallpa, Peru
4 Escuela Profesional de Ingeniería en Conservación de Suelos y Agua, Facultad de Recursos Naturales Renovables, Universidad Nacional Agraria de la Selva, Tingo Maria, Peru
* Corresponding Author: Lorena E. Romero-Chávez. Email: email
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Plant–Soil Interactions Under Stress: Mechanisms and Mitigation Strategies)

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2026.081119

Received 24 February 2026; Accepted 13 April 2026; Published online 02 June 2026

Abstract

The exploration and identification of spontaneous weed species in heavy metal–contaminated soils represent a relevant approach for understanding the role and their potential application in phytoremediation. In cacao cultivation, cadmium contamination poses a significant risk due to the restrictions established for soils and cacao-derived products, thereby threatening productive sustainability and export viability. The objective of this study was to identify weed species associated with cacao cultivation exhibiting accumulation patterns and phytoremediation potential for Cd and Pb, through the assessment of biomass production and the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF), in natural conditions. Soil samples were collected from seven cacao-growing zones, and the site with the highest Cd concentration (1.65 mg kg−1) was selected, where ten dominant weed species were identified and evaluated. Significant interspecific differences were observed in biomass production and in Cd and Pb concentrations (p < 0.05). Talinum paniculatum exhibited the highest total biomass (6.15 g) and the highest TF for Cd, whereas Cyperus aggregatus showed the greatest total Cd accumulation (2.68 mg kg−1). BCF and TF values enabled the identification of species with accumulation patterns consistent with Cd phytoextraction (T. paniculatum, C. aggregatus, Pseudelephantopus spiralis, Bidens riparia, Euphorbia heterophylla, and Malvastrum coromandelianum) and with phytostabilization (Ocimum campechianum). For Pb the observed patterns were consistent with potential phytoextractive behavior in B. riparia, P. spiralis, E. heterophylla, Hilleria latifolia, and Acalypha stachyura. Although these results do not constitute functional evidence of remediation, they describe heavy metal accumulation and translocation patterns in native weed species, providing a technical basis for the design of future experimental trials aimed at the sustainable remediation of contaminated soils.

Keywords

Spontaneous weeds; cadmium; lead; plant biomass; bioconcentration factor; translocation factor; rhizosphere

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