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Permaculture FAQ
PERMACULTURE FAQ Version 1.0
September 1995
* This Permaculture FAQ is divided into two parts:
(1) introduction to permaculture, and (2) permaculture
resources
* This FAQ was drafted for the permaculture-mg list
INTRODUCTION TO PERMACULTURE
The word "permaculture" was coined in 1978 by two Australians,
Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, and is a contraction of "permanent
agriculture" or "permanent agriculture."
Permaculture is about designing ecological human habitats and food
production systems. It is an approach to land use which integrates
human dwellings, microclimate, annual and perennial plants,
animals, soils, and water management into stable, productive
communities.
==================================================================
Permaculture Defined:
1. From Michael Pilarksi (Friends of the Trees) in
INTERNATIONAL GREEN FRONT REPORT (1988):
Permaculture is: the design of land use systems that are
sustainable and environmentally sound; the design of
culturally appropriate systems which lead to social stability;
a design system characterized by an integrated application of
ecological principles in land use; an international movement
for land use planning and design; an ethical system stressing
positivism and cooperation.
In the broadest sense, permaculture refers to land use systems
which promote stability in society, utilize resources in a
sustainable way and preserve wildlife habitat and the genetic
diversity of wild and domestic plants and animals. It is a
synthesis of ecology and geography, of observation and design.
Permaculture involves ethics of earth care because the
sustainable use of land cannot be separated from life-styles
and philosophical issues.
2. From Lee Barnes (Katuah Journal and Permaculture Connections),
Waynesville, North Carolina:
Permaculture ("Perm"anent "agri"culture and "Perma"nent "culture")
is a sustainable design system stressing the harmonious
interrelationship of humans, plants, animals and the Earth. To
paraphrase the founder of Permaculture, designer Bill Mollison:
"Permaculture principles focus on thoughtful designs for small-scale
intensive systems which are labor efficient and which use biological
resources instead of fossil fuels. Designs stress ecological
connections and closed energy and material loops. The core of
permaculture is design and the working relationships and connections
between all things. Each component in a system performs multiple
functions, and each function is supported by many elements. Key to
efficient design is observation and replication of natural ecosystems,
where designers maximize diversity with polycultures, stress
efficient energy planning for houses and settlement, using and
accelerating natural plant succession, and increasing the highly
productive "edge-zones" within the system."
Permaculture designs have been successfully and widely implemented
in third-world countries, but there is current need to expand these
principles in temperate climates, and especially urban areas to
create more enjoyable and sustainable human habitats.
=================================================================
A central theme in permaculture is the design of ecological
landscapes that produce food. Permaculture design concepts may be
applied to single households or whole farms and villages. A major
emphasis is placed on use of food-producing plants and in the
integration of animals into the landscape.
Permaculture is not limited to just plant and animal agriculture.
It also includes community planning and development, use of
appropriate technologies (coupled with an adjustment of life-style),
and adoption of concepts and philosophies that are both earth-based
and people-centered, such as bio-regionalism.
Many of the appropriate technologies advocated by permaculturalists
are well-known. Among these are solar and wind power, composting
toilets, and solar food cooking and drying. Information on renewable
technologies such as these is available from a number of other
sources.
Due to the inherent sustainability of perennial cropping systems,
permaculture places emphasis on tree crops. Thus, alleycropping and
agroforestry systems appear to hold promise as viable techniques for
large-scale farming. Ecological methods of production for any specific
crop or farming system are, of course, vital to permaculture and
sustainable agriculture in general.
Since permaculture is not a production system, per se, but rather
a land use planning philosophy, it is not limited to a specific
method of production. Furthermore, as permaculture principles may
be adapted to farms or villages worldwide, it is site specific and
therefore amenable to locally adapted techniques of production.
As an example, standard organic farming and gardening techniques
utilizing crop rotations, cover crops, green manures, composts,
and mulches are emphasized in permacultural systems. Yet,
the use of the Keyline chisel plow, rotational grazing,
the Aerway implement in no-till farming, and a whole number
of other techniques are adaptable to farms working within
a permacultural framework. The decision as to which "system" to
go with is site-specific and management dependent.
Farming systems and methods often associated with permaculture include
edible landscaping, Keyline, agroforestry, keyhold gardening, sheet
mulching, chicken tractors, solar greenhouses, vermicomposting, spiral
herb gardens, swales, and intercropping. Water collection and management
systems like greywater, rain catchment, and Keyline play an important
role in land use designs.
Permaculture is not about prescription farming, it's about
designing ecological landscapes that integrate farming and other
human activities into ecosystems with productive results yet
minimal disturbance. Permaculture advocates farm ecology, not
pharmacology.
Sources of Information
The two basic sources of information on permaculture are
permaculture design courses and the permaculture literature.
Permaculture design courses are the primary vehicle for transfer
of permaculture expertise. The standard course is 72-hours in
length and lasts two weeks. Graduates are issued a permaculture
design certificate and are entitled to use "Permaculture" in the
pursuit of livelihood and for educational purposes.
The permaculture literature is a rich source of information on a
wide range of topics dealing with appropriate technology,
water management, land use, housing, and plant and animal agriculture.
PERMACULTURE RESOURCES
THE PERMACULTURE INSTITUTE
The Permaculture Institute in Tyalgum, Australia, serves as the
coordinating organization for permaculture activities such as
permaculture design accreditation. Contact:
Permaculture Institute
P.O. Box 1
Tyalgum, NSW 2484
Australia
Phone: (066) 793 442
PERMACULTURE RESOURCES IN THE UNITED STATES:
THE PERMACULTURE ACTIVIST
Contact: Peter Bane
Box 1209
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(704) 683-4946
Cost: $16.00, quarterly
THE PERMACULTURE ACTIVIST is the leading periodical for
North American permaculture. In addition to articles on
permaculture, edible landscaping, bioregionalism, etc., it
also lists permaculture design courses and serves as an
important networking tool in the U.S., Canada, and Central
America.
THE INTERNATIONAL PERMACULTURE SOLUTIONS JOURNAL (TIPS)
Yankee Permaculture/Elfin Permaculture, and
Forest Ecosystem Rescue Network (FERN)
Contact: Dan Hemenway
P.O. Box 672
Dahlonega, GA 30533-0672
Cost: $27.50/four issues
TIPS is published on a sporadic basis. A yearbook
called THE INTERNATIONAL PERMACULTURE SPECIES YEARBOOK
(TIPSY) was the format prior to TIPS. The TIPSY
series is a goldmine of permaculture information and
resources; most notable are several lists of plants and
their uses. Back issues are still available.
FERN publishes a permaculture newsletter called ROBIN, which is
concerned mainly with forest issues.
Yankee Permaculture also publishes THE RESOURCES OF
INTERNATIONAL PERMACULTURE - TRIP. Volume 5 of TRIP,
published in 1993, is a 68-page issue that contains 1,540
listings of groups working in permaculture, sustainable food
systems, and tree-based agriculture.
RESTORATION FORESTRY
Friends of the Trees
Contact: Michael Pilarski
P. O. Box 4469
Bellingham, WA 98227
(206) 738-4972
Cost: $7.00
RESTORATION FORESTRY (1994) is a 525-page International
Guide to Sustainable Forestry Practices. It is rich
with ideas, practices, and resources.
Other key publications from Friends of the Trees include the
THE INTERNATIONAL GREEN FRONT REPORT (1988, $7.00),
KIWIFRUIT ENTHUSIASTS JOURNAL (Vol. 6, $17.20) and THIRD
WORLD RESOURCES (1993, $5.00). Friends of the Trees Society also
publishes a newsletter.
SUSTAINABLE LIVING IN DRYLANDS (SLID)
Permaculture Drylands Institute
Contact: Scott Pittman
P.O. Box 27371
Tucson, AZ 85726
(602) 623-0054
Cost: $12.00, quarterly
SLID is a newsletter/journal focusing on permaculture concepts
and designs for arid lands. SLID has published articles on straw
bale buildings, solar box cookers, and dryland farming.
TEMPERATE BAMBOO QUARTERLY
Earth Advocates
30 Myers Road
Summertown, TN 38483
Cost: $24/year
TEMPERATE BAMBOO QUARTERLY is a new publication from Earth Advocates,
a permaculture team run by Sue and Adam Turtle. It focuses on the
bamboo plant which has unique, important multi-purpose uses.
PERMACULTURE RESOURCES IN AUSTALIA:
INTERNATIONAL PERMACULTURE JOURNAL
Permaculture International Ltd.
P.O. Box 7185
Lismore Heights, NSW 2480
Australia
Phone: (066) 220 020
Cost: U.S. $20.00/quarterly
Note: subscribers in the U.S. can send their payment to THE
PERMACULTURE ACTIVIST.
The INTERNATIONAL PERMACULTURE JOURNAL serves as the leading
periodical for permaculture worldwide. Each issue contains informative
articles as well as news of permacultural events in Australia, the
U.S., and other places around the world. It serves as an important
networking tool. Back issues to the early 1980s are available.
THE PERMACULTURE EDGE
Permaculture Nambour, Inc.
P.O. Box 650
Nambour, Queensland 4560
Australia
Phone: (074) 943 955
Cost: U.S. $20.00, quarterly.
Note: subscribers in the U.S. can send their payment to THE
PERMACULTURE ACTIVIST.
THE PERMACULTURE EDGE is a new quarterly publication from Australia.
The "permaculture edge" refers to the "edge effect" that can be used
to increase yields in designed systems. It also points to
permaculture ideas as being "at the edge" of a change in the push
toward a sustainable future.
BASIC PERMACULTURE LITERATURE:
THE BEST OF PERMACULTURE. By Max O. Lindegger and Robert Tap.
1986. Nascimanere Publishers, Nambour, Australia. 136 p.
PERMACULTURE ONE: A PERENNIAL AGRICULTURE FOR HUMAN
SETTLEMENTS, 3rd ed. By Bill C. Mollison and David Holmgren. 1987.
(Reprint of 1978 ed.) Tagari Publishers, Tyalgum, New South Wales,
Australia. 127 p.
PERMACULTURE TWO: A PRACTICAL DESIGN FOR TOWN AND COUNTRY IN
PERMANENT AGRICULTURE. By Bill C. Mollison. 1979.
Tagari Press, Stanley, Australia. 150 p.
PERMACULTURE: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.
By Bill C. Mollison. Island Press, Washington, D.C. 579 p.
INTRODUCTION TO PERMACULTURE. 1991. By Bill C. Mollison and
Reny Mia Slay. Tagari Publishers, Tyalgum, Australia. 198 p.
THE PERMACULTURIST'S BOOKSHELF
TREE CROPS: A PERMACNENT AGRICULTURE. By J. Russell Smith. 1987.
408 p. Costs about: $20.00
CORNUCOPIA: A SOURCE BOOK OF EDIBLE PLANTS. By Stephen Facciola.
1990. 678 p. Costs about: $35.00
DESIGNING & MAINTAINING YOUR EDIBLE LANDSCAPE NATURALLY. By
Robert Kourick. 1986. 370 p. Costs about: $20.00
* Compiled by Steve Diver
Send comments and updates to: steved@ncatfyv.uark.edu
or permaculture-mg@ces.ncsu.edu
===============
Article 11236 (123 more) in rec.gardens:
From: dietz@cs.rochester.edu (Paul Dietz)
ubject: Hyperaccumulators?
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 23:15:20 GMT
I just was reading a bit about some plants that are
"hyperaccumulators": they concentrate normally toxic metals in their
tissue to an amazing extent (for example, plants that grow on soils
derived from ultramafic rocks that concentrate nickel in their leaves
to > 3% of their dry weight). Are there any plants normally grown in
gardens that are hyperaccumulators?
Paul F. Dietz
dietz@cs.rochester.edu
Article 11244 (116 more) in rec.gardens:
From: klier@iscsvax.uni.edu
In article <1992Oct6.231520.20515@cs.rochester.edu>,
dietz@cs.rochester.edu (Paul Dietz) writes:
> I just was reading a bit about some plants that are
> "hyperaccumulators": they concentrate normally toxic metals in their
> tissue to an amazing extent (for example, plants that grow on soils
> derived from ultramafic rocks that concentrate nickel in their leaves
> to > 3% of their dry weight). Are there any plants normally grown in
> gardens that are hyperaccumulators?
To the best of my knowledge, no. Though you will see such things as
lead accumulating in root crops like carrots.
Most of the "ultra accumulators" are things like locoweeds, which
pick up selenium in sulfur-poor soils, and you actually get selinium
containing amino acids and proteins (i.e., the selenium "spares" the
sulfur).
There is a cute S. African plant I've read of called "giftboom" (poison
tree) that does something rather spectacular with fluorine, which I've
now forgotten. Maybe uses Fl- instead of Cl-?????
Kay Klier Biology Dept UNI
Article 11254 (121 more) in rec.gardens:
From: dietz@cs.rochester.edu (Paul Dietz)
Subject: Re: Hyperaccumulators?
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 11:52:31 GMT
In article <1992Oct6.205925.7361@iscsvax.uni.edu> klier@iscsvax.uni.edu writes:
> There is a cute S. African plant I've read of called "giftboom" (poison
> tree) that does something rather spectacular with fluorine, which I've
> now forgotten. Maybe uses F- instead of Cl-?????
"Gifblaar". It makes fluoroacetate ion, a potent inhibitor of the
Krebs cycle. One mouthful of this plant can kill a sheep. A related
species makes some other fluorinated acids, also toxic.
Interestingly, another member of this genus is a nickel
hyperaccumulator.
Paul F. Dietz
dietz@cs.rochester.edu
Article 11287 (153 more) in rec.gardens:
From: emolinar@stake.DaytonOH.NCR.COM (Elizabeth Molinaro)
Subject: Re: Hyperaccumulators?Date: 7 Oct 92 18:29:15 GMT
In article <1992Oct6.205925.7361@iscsvax.uni.edu> klier@iscsvax.uni.edu
writes:
>In article <1992Oct6.231520.20515@cs.rochester.edu>, dietz@cs.rochester.edu
(Paul Dietz) writes:
>>
>> I just was reading a bit about some plants that are
>> "hyperaccumulators": they concentrate normally toxic metals in their
>> tissue to an amazing extent (for example, plants that grow on soils
>> derived from ultramafic rocks that concentrate nickel in their leaves
>> to > 3% of their dry weight). Are there any plants normally grown in
>> gardens that are hyperaccumulators?
>
>To the best of my knowledge, no. Though you will see such things as
>lead accumulating in root crops like carrots.
I read something about Jimsonweed.
About a month ago, in the Wall Street Journal, page 1
Apparently, it hyperaccumulates toxic nuclear (now THAT's
redundant) wastes...and thrives!!!!
Elizabeth
From: klier@iscsvax.uni.edu
Subject: re: Hyperaccumulators
Date: 8 Oct 92 18:35:08 -0500
Paul Dietz (with a marvelous memory!) remembered the plant I couldn't--
the one that makes fluoroacetate when grown on soils heavy in fluorine,
and thus becomes toxic to animals. He also remembered the common name
is "giftblaar", not "giftboom" as I had thought.
Dichapetalum is a BIG genus of 150-200 species of the tropics, particularly
Africa. It's a member of the family Dichapetalaceae, which may be
related to the Euphorbiaceae, the poinsettia family, according to
Willis's Dictionary. Alas, Chiltern Seeds doesn't seem to stock it :-(
------
From: IN%"dietz@cs.rochester.EDU"
The genus is Dichapetalum. The three species to which I referred
are:
D. cymosum Makes fluoroacetate
D. toxicarium Makes various omega-fluorinated fatty acids
D. gelonioides A nickel hyperaccumulator
D. gelonioides doesn't have unusually large amounts of fluorine in
its tissues. I don't remember if D. toxicarium makes fluoroacetate
as well.
--------
Kay
rec.gardens #10472
From: A.S. Chamove
Re: Hyperaccumulators
Date: Sun Oct 11 19:47:12 1992
Organization: Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Does anyone know of a plant (edible to cows and horses) that will
concentrate selenium in selenium-deficient soils?
Arnold Chamove
Massey University Psychology
Palmerston North, New Zealand
1] Re: Hyperaccumulators
Date: Sun Oct 11 20:53:28 1992
Organization: University of Northern Iowa
In article <1992Oct11.234712.18978@massey.ac.nz>,
A.S.Chamove@massey.ac.nz (A.S. Chamove) writes:
> Does anyone know of a plant (edible to cows and horses) that will
> concentrate selenium in selenium-deficient soil?
Species of _Astragalus_ and _Oxytropis_ are notorious for this in low-
sulfur soils. Of course, when the horse or steer gets too much
Se from the locoweeds, you see "moonblindness" and other neurological
symptoms.
Kay
rticle 11244 (116 more) in rec.gardens:
From: klier@iscsvax.uni.edu
ubject: Re: Hyperaccumulators?
Date: 6 Oct 92 20:59:25 -0500
In article <1992Oct6.231520.20515@cs.rochester.edu>, dietz@cs.rochester.edu (Pau l Dietz) writes:
> I just was reading a bit about some plants that are
> "hyperaccumulators": they concentrate normally toxic metals in their
> tissue to an amazing extent (for example, plants that grow on soils
> derived from ultramafic rocks that concentrate nickel in their leaves
> to > 3% of their dry weight). Are there any plants normally grown in
> gardens that are hyperaccumulators?
To the best of my knowledge, no. Though you will see such things as
lead accumulating in root crops like carrots.
Most of the "ultra accumulators" are things like locoweeds, which
pick up selenium in sulfur-poor soils, and you actually get selinium
containing amino acids and proteins (i.e., the selenium "spares" the
sulfur).
There is a cute S. African plant I've read of called "giftboom" (poison
tree) that does something rather spectacular with fluorine, which I've
now forgotten. Maybe uses Fl- instead of Cl-?????
Kay Klier Biology Dept UNI
Article 11249 (115 more) in rec.gardens:
From: london@SunSite.unc.edu (Larry London)
Subject: Re: Hyperaccumulators?
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 05:06:58 GMT
Datura (Jimson Weed) and cattails are reputed to be hyperaccumulators.
Date: 12 Oct 92 00:53:28 GMT
In article <1992Oct11.234712.18978@massey.ac.nz>,
A.S.Chamove@massey.ac.nz (A.S. Chamove) writes:
> Does anyone know of a plant (edible to cows and horses) that will
> concentrate selenium in selenium-deficient soil?
Species of _Astragalus_ and _Oxytropis_ are notorious for this in low-
sulfur soils. Of course, when the horse or steer gets too much
Se from the locoweeds, you see "moonblindness" and other neurological
symptoms.
Kay
Article 471 (7 more) in bionet.plants:
Date: Tue, 20 Oct 1992 15:48:56 EDT
Subject: Re: Heavy Metals and Fruit Trees
cpotter@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Clint Potter) Date: Mon, 19 Oct 1992 19:09:08 GMT
Requested info:
> I am after a information on the effects of heavy metals in the soil on fruit
> trees.
> Are metals like Pb and Cd detrimental to the growth of trees like apples,
> peaches and pears? Is there any research on tolerable concentrations of
> these elements? Are these metals likely to migrate to the fruit? What type
> of soil test should be done? Is total Pb and total Cd adequate?
> Thank you for any information or references.
> Clint Potter cpotter@ncsa.uiuc.edu
Check a recent review article :
W. H. O. Ernst et al., 1992. Metal tolerance in plants.
Acta Botanica Neerlandica 41:229-248.
If it doesn't provide you with the info you need, it may lead you to other
sources in the literature cited.
Mark Kubiske
From: bj368@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Mike E. Romano)
Subject: Re: Aquaculture
Date: 20 Oct 1992 09:29:30 GMT
In reference to Larry London's request for further cites of
publications by New Alchemy and on the subject of
bioremediation, I have the following from my files:
Solar Aquaculture: perspectives in renewable, resource based
fish production, results for a workshop at Falmouth, Mass.
Sept 28, 1981 supported by the National Science Foundation
New Alchemy Institute.
Bioremediation for marine oil spills. U.S. Gov Doc. Office
of Technology Assessment 1991
doc # Y 3.T 22/2:2 B 52.7
Bioremediation of contaminated surface soils by Sims &
Matthews. EPA 1989 EP 1.23/6:600/9-90/041
National Conference on Bioremediation (1988). Hazardous
waste treatment by genetically engineered or adapted
organisms. Superfund '88. Silver Springs, MD
Bioremediation of petroleum spills in arctic environments.
Alaska Dept of Transportation 1990
Understanding Bioremediation: a guidebook for citizens.
EPA 1991 doc EP 1.8:B 52/2
Quick Bibliography Series # 92-47.
Biotechnology and Bioremediation. National Agricultural
Library Beltsville MD 1991
Practical environmental bioremediation. Barry King
Lewis Publishing 1992.
Article 704 in bionet.plants:
Organization: Penn State University
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1992 09:03:23 EST
Subject: Re: Heavy metals in plants
I'm out of my field here, but I'm somewhat involved in a study here at Penn
State which might at least be interesting, if not relevant to this budding
'heavy metal' discussion. About 100 years ago in the Eastern US, the
"cahrcoal-iron" industry was pretty big business. Travelers through
Pennsylvania can still see the huge, stone iron furnaces in state parks and
the like. The iron workers would fire the furnaces with charcoal which they
produced themselves from the surrounding forests. One can walk through the
woods almost anywhere in PA and encounter numerous "charcoal hearths" -
elliptical or circular flat areas about 10 to 12 meters across with very
little or no woody vegetation. The study was designed to try and pin down
why woody vegetation is virtually excluded from these hearths even after 100
years. I might add that the surrounding woods were heavily logged during
this period, clearcut on 40 year rotations was common. Needless to say the
woods are growing quite vigerously, but not the hearths. Tissue-water
relations of test plants (my field) suggest some form of drought stress.
The soil on these hearths is up to 70% organic matter due to charcoal dust
and fragments. Can there be some heavy metal residue that may have been
concentrated by stacking 10 cords at a time on these hearths and coaling
them? Some hearths were used very many times over.
Mark Kubiske < MEK104@PSUVM.PSU.EDU >
School of Forest Resources
Penn State University
Article 708 (1 more) in bionet.plants:
From: BOTSALT@VM.UOGUELPH.CA (david salt)
Subject: heavy metals a few points
Date: 11 Dec 92 22:14:04 GMT
Well I am pleased with the response to my plea for discussion on the topic
of heavy metals and plants.
The discussion on hyperaccumulators is interesting but it is important to
realise that to my knowledge there is no example of a plant which excludes
metals, all plants appear to accumulate metals to some degree. This is probably
due to the cationic metal being driven across the PM via the membrame potential
-ve inside. In tobacco this metal then appears to be compartmentalised within
the vacuole. Once inside the vacuole Cd is bound to the induced peptide
phytochelatins, therebye reducing the Cd's chemical gradient across the
tonoplast and hence reducing the amount of energy required to keep pumping
Cd inside. In oats Cd is transported across the tonoplast via a Cd/H
antiport (presumably driven in vivo by tghe tonoplast H-ATPase or H-PPiase).
Transport of Cd back out across the PM may also be a possibility.
RE Datura: P. Jackson at Los Alamos has done alot of work on the
biochemistry of Cd resistence on Datura innoxia in tissue culture!
IS CADMIUM REALLY SO BAD!!!!!!
a recent article in Nature suggests not!(344, 658-660, 1990)
It would appear that Cd can substitute for Zn in Zn deficient marine diatoms!
Does this explain the slight growth stimulation physiologist have seen (but
not talked about) in Cd tolerence tests using root elongation?
What is Cd doing in the marine diatom? Is it siting in the active site of
catalase or in Zn-fingers?....Any ideas.
Finally are there any biophysicists out there how can explain to me why
crystaline CdS is an interesting semiconductor because the fission yeast
S. pombe makes particles of it when exposed to Cd (and may be also plants)
and AT&T Bell laboratories are interested (Nature 338, 596-597, 1989).
David Salt
Botsalt@vm.uoguelph.ca
Article 710 in bionet.plants:
From: claird@NeoSoft.com (Cameron Laird)
Subject: Re: A big hello
Date: 11 Dec 92 14:49:21 GMT
In article <1992Dec10.234216.8446@gserv1.dl.ac.uk> london@sunsite.unc.edu (Larry
London) writes:
>In article <1992Dec10.153700.17634@gserv1.dl.ac.uk> you write:
>>In article <92129225625.MIN-LVLBa00330.bionet-news@uk.ac.daresbury> you wrote:
.
Is there anybody out there who is interested in how plants deal with
>>: heavy metals (ie Cd, Cu, Zn etc....yes O.K you know what a heavy metal
>>: is). Perhaps were could have a meaningful dialogue?
>>I worked for a while at Plymouth Polytechnic (UK) during the early 80's
>>when Lane and Martin were working on uptake of heavy metals by potatos
>>and strawberries, but I'm not sure what they published.
.
.
>Here's a thread on the subject I've saved over the past several months.
>There is additional material contained in a number of posts in
>alt.sustainable.agriculture, which I've archived. These mostly relate to
>the work of John Todd, formerly of the New Alchemy Institute.
A paper by K. C. Jones et al., *Nature*, 356, 137, 1992,
analyzes secular trends in pollution around Rothamsted
by measuring plants' incorporated burdens of different
pollutants. The authors' principal concerns were with
organics--PCBs, hydrocarbons--but I think their biblio-
graphy touches on metal uptakes.
.
--
Cameron Laird
claird@Neosoft.com (claird%Neosoft.com@uunet.uu.net) +1 713 267 7966
claird@litwin.com (claird%litwin.com@uunet.uu.net) +1 713 996 8546
Article 713 in bionet.plants:
From: ajt@rri.sari.ac.uk (Tony Travis)
Subject: Re: Plant communication/sensing references wanted
Date: 12 Dec 92 23:23:45 GMT
In article <921212201751.MIN-LVICa00330.bionet-news@uk.ac.daresbury> you wrote:
:
: The subject about says it all: I'm interested in references to literature
: which explores the capabilities of the plant world with refer712
Article 712 in bionet.plants:
From: ajt@rri.sari.ac.uk (Tony Travis)
ubject: Re: heavy metals a few points
Date: 12 Dec 92 23:18:36 GMT
In article <921211224901.MIN-LHFCa00330.bionet-news@uk.ac.daresbury> you wrote:
: [...]
: The discussion on hyperaccumulators is interesting but it is important to
: realise that to my knowledge there is no example of a plant which excludes
:metals, all plants appear to accumulate metals to some degree. This is probably
: due to the cationic metal being driven across the PM via the membrame potentia
l
: -ve inside. In tobacco this metal then appears to be compartmentalised within
: [...]
I did some work with benzo-18-crown-6 (a synthetic ionophore) which
demonstrated that accumulation of K+ in the vacuole of stomatal guard
cells was dependent on the permeability of the PM to K+ ions. The
crown ether is incorporated into the membrane and forms K+ permeable
channels.
The driving force for accumulation of K+ is electrogenic proton
extrusion across the PM/tonoplast. It seems that accumulation of Cd or
any other cation available would depend on membrane permeability rather
than active transport of the metal itself.
Tony.
--
Dr. A.J.Travis, | Tony Travis
Rowett Research Institute, | JANET: <ajt@uk.ac.sari.rri>
Greenburn Road, Bucksburn, | other: <ajt@rri.sari.ac.uk>
Aberdeen, AB2 9SB. UK. | phone: 0224-712751
From: donachie@vax.oxford.ac.uk
ubject: Heavy metals
Date: 14 Dec 92 13:13:24 GMT
Organization: Oxford University VAX 6620
On the subject of hyperaccumulators, work in this lab is investigating the
nature of the complexes formed in these plants with organic acids, in order to
determine whether these provide a possible mechanism of tolerance for the
plant.
The levels of metal which these plants accumulate can be huge, Sebertia
accuminata, a tree from New Caledonia, has a latex which conatins, on a dry
weight basis, 26 % nickel. This is the highest recorded concentration in any
living ( :-) ) organism.
I think that the act of hyperaccumulation is related to the site at which the
plant can be found. We are working on Alyssum spp here, and these can be, and
are regularly grown in gardens in Europe. We have plants which are known to be
hyperaccumulators, and as control plants we are using garden seeds bought from
--MORE--(88%)
a commercial supplier. We think that they won't hyperaccumulate, if they do
then....
Just some interesting info to pass on over the dinner table ( :-) )
End of article 721 (of 722)--what next? [npq] Article 723 in bionet.plants:
From: cunninsd@esvax.dnet.dupont.com
Subject: plants, metals and contaminated sites
Date: 15 Dec 92 15:55:43 GMT
Distribution: bionet
This is my first time on this network, but I heard a
discussion of heavy metals in plants was underway, so I
thought I'd join in. Here at DuPont we have an active
research program in using plants toremediate contaminated
soils. For this effort we have borrowed a term I first heard
used by Ilya Raskin at Rutgers' and called it
"Phytoremediation".
We define phytoremediation as the use of green plants to
remove, contain, or render harmless an environmental
contaminant. This definition applies to all plant-influenced
biological, chemical, and physical processes that aid in site
remediation. Although our particular current research
emphasis is the remediation of lead-contaminated soils, we
are interested in most other metals and organics as well.
Simply described, we propose to farm hazardous waste sites,
biomine the metal contaminants, and reclaim the metals
through postharvest processing of the biomass. We consider
the entire process to have multiple, but interdependent
components. For the technology to be useful each component
must be sound technically and economically, and must be
acceptable from a regulatory perspective. Our efforts in
phytoremediation of lead-contaminated soils address all of
these areas. I thought I would venture some general comments
on the area and see what reaction they brought.
Although metal tolerant plants are relatively common,
most do not accumulate significant quantities of metal in the
above ground biomass. Our metal-removal goals are ambitious,
paralleling removal rates of plant nutrients such as
nitrogen, potassium, and calcium. For plant-based
decontamination to be sucessful, we must find, breed or
engineer plants that absorb, translocate and tolerate these
metals. These three processes are separate, distinct and, in
some plants, mutually exclusive.(ie tolerance can be obtained
by lack of translocation etc.) We have found that
combinations of any two processes in one plant are relatively
easy to find. All three processes, working efficiently in a
single plant with sufficient biomass to acheive the necessary
metal-removal rates, will be more difficult to achieve.
The discovery or development of such plants might be
assumed to be infeasible if it were not for the existence of
the hyperaccumulators that have been mentioned on this
network. These naturally-occurring plants can be found
growing on ore outcroppings and have spectacular metal-uptake
capacities. The sap of one tree has been mentioned previously
to have concentrations of Ni in excess of 25% dry weight.
Alan Baker (Sheffield) lists plants with concentrations in
excess of 1% Cu and Co and 3% Zn, Ni, and Mn on a dry weight
basis. Lead levels, although lower, have been reported as
high as 8,200 ppm in these plants. We are looking at these
hyperaccumulators for potential remediation uses, however,
due to their low growth habits and small biomass, they would
seem to be agronomically and climatically unsuited for
phytoremediation of most sites. A breeding program to
increase biomass and metals content is a long-term, crop-
development strategy that could be undertaken. Molecular
biology, however, may offer valuable shortcuts !!! - (Check
with your patent attorney, before you release it as this
plant can have real and significant value)
Parallel to our efforts with hyperaccumulators, we have
been exploring lead-contaminated sites for plants that
accumulate lead. Our goal is to find, manipulate, and extend
the lead-uptake limits of these plants. We have collected and
analyzed many plants from Superfund, mining, and other
industrial sites in search of appropriate germplasm. Of the
plants we have analyzed to date, two plants have shown
significant abilities to accumulate lead. These are hemp
dogbane (Apocynum sp.) and common ragweed (Ambrosia sp.).
Their lead accumulation abilities are considerable, but not
consistent, however, across soils. Most metals, and lead in
particular, have numerous forms in the soil, not all of which
are equally available for plant uptake.
Manipulating the chemistry of the soil to maximize lead
removal requires balancing plant-nutritional requirements for
biomass production with the availiability of lead for uptake
by plants. We have found these to be often competing
processes. Maximizing lead availability requires a lower pH
and low solution levels of phosphate and sulfate, which
directly impacts total plant biomass produced. The plant-
nutritional status of the soil must be continuously balanced
against the lead-availability status to maximize total lead
removal.
Pb occurs in all of the physicochemical forms measured
in a sequential extraction of contaminated soils, including
water-soluble, exchangeable, specifically adsorbed,
carbonate, oxyhydroxide, organic, and other forms.
Experiments have confirmed, however, that there are wide
differences between soils in these Pb forms and in the
ability of plants to pick up the metal in question.
I would be interested in general comments on the
approach, names of others working in the area, etc. etc..
Article 727 (2 more) in bionet.plants:
From: dr@ducvax.auburn.edu
Subject: Re: A big hello
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 06:32:56 GMT
In article <1992Dec10.153700.17634@gserv1.dl.ac.uk>, ajt@rri.sari.ac.uk (Tony Tr
avis) writes:
> In article <92129225625.MIN-LVLBa00330.bionet-news@uk.ac.daresbury> you wrote:
> : I am a "virgin" bionet user, this is my first message.
>
> Hello, David + welcome to bionet.plants!
>
> : Is there anybody out there who is interested in how plants deal with
> : heavy metals (ie Cd, Cu, Zn etc....yes O.K you know what a heavy metal
> : is). Perhaps were could have a meaningful dialogue?
> Ok, everybody - are you interested in discussing heavy metals??
I'd be interested in such a discussion; my current interest would be
taxonomic in nature. 'Fraid I can't make any contribution to such a
discussion at this time, for convoluted reasons, best alluded to by my
post, "Request: Recruiting/Luring Biologists to the Nets", in sci.bio
and bionet.general. That same post would also serve as a belated way
to introduce myself (I did not do so at the inception of this group,
for reasons I will style as virginal shyness).
David Roller | Bitnet = dr@auducvax | "Because we're all
Auburn Univ. | Internet = dr@ducvax.auburn.edu | in this together."
bionet.plants:
From: donachie@vax.oxford.ac.uk
Subject: Re: heavy metals a few points
Date: 16 Dec 92 22:51:38 GMT
Cadmium
In humans and animals Cd interfers with Cu and Zn metabolism. It competes
with Zn for sites in metalloenzymes that require Zn for function. It also
blocks sulphydral groups.
Interestingly, on the point of Cd competing for Zn sites most metalloenzymes
that require Zn show partial activity if Cd is substituted back in. Mn, Ni and
Co, can also achieve this effect, with Co being the least disruptive.
So my guess is that with Zn deficiency, Cd can reactivate the
Zn-metalloenzymes, and Co would work even better!!!
Kev
Newsgroups: bionet.plants,alt.sustainable.agriculture
From: london@sunSITE.unc.edu (Larry London)
Summary: 260 plants tested for purifiying ability
Keywords: Kathe Seidel of Max Planck Institute
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 07:30:06 GMT
Regarding hyperaccumulators, bioremediation, etc.:
See this article:
HARROWSMITH, The Magazine of Country Life
December, 1988
Number 18
Pages 38-47
"The New Alchemist" John Todd: Transforming Waste With a Rare Mettle
By Donella Meadows
-------------------------