A field plot experiment was conducted to study the effects of planting densities on the growth and heavy metals uptake by Sedum plumbizincicola. The results showed that yields of Sedum plumbizincicola were enhanced with the increase of planting density; however, there was no further increase when planting density was too high. With planting density increasing from 1.1×105 plants per hm2 to 4.4×105 plants per hm2, Cd and Zn uptake of aboveground Sedum plumbizincicola increased from 0.208 kg·hm-2 to 0.631 kg·hm-2, from 13.2 kg·hm-2 to 58.7 kg·hm-2, respectively; yet, there was no significant enhancement between the planting density of 4.4×105 plants per hm2 and 1.0×106 plants per hm2. When planting density was 4.4×105 plants per hm2, the Cd and Zn removal rates in contaminated soil were 21.1%, 4.60%, respectively. Appropriate planting density would benefit Cd and Zn uptake of aboveground Sedum plumbizincicola, and shorten phytoremediation period. |