Conclusion
- Biscutella laevigata colonizing the calamine population in
Boleslaw developed adaptation strategies to the site polluted with
heavy metals, as indicated by features related to the biology of
reproduction: (a) Success in sexual reproduction enabling maintenance
of the calamine population over time, despite the disturbances and
degeneration processes observed in male and female lineages
development; (b) Degeneration of parts of stamens/anthers and one
ovule in two-ovule ovaries as an adaptation to limited resources and
extreme conditions/stress; (c) Shortening of female gametophytes as a
strategy to accelerate entry into the generative phase; (d) Change in
the chemistry of cell walls in embryonic cells as the mechanism of
metal detoxification.
- The reduced fertility of plants from contaminated areas does not have
to result only from the negative impact of high concentrations of
metals in the soil, but also from other factors, as demonstrated by
present studies on Biscutella laevigata. It is necessary to
interpret the results with great caution while drawing conclusions.
- Our studies indicate that Ecological Embryology, a term
introduced by Professor Romana Czapik in 2002, is a very good tool for
studying the level of plant adaptation to extreme environments.
Tolerant species/taxa, reproducing sexually on contaminated
populations, could be useful for revitalization and/or
phytoremediation, a biological method for cleaning up the environment.