Three Harendong Plants from West Java as a Model for Phytoremediation

In Indonesia harendong are more commonly known as Melastoma, the most widely known species is M. malabathricum and M. affine D. Don. Several studies using harendong as subjects sometimes called M. malabathricum and M. affine D. Don as two different types, but in other studies referred to it as a synonym. In an effort to make harendong as phytoremediation agents, taxonomy problem becomes very important, because the physiology and metabolism of each different type of plant will be different. This research aims to study the morphological variation and cytogenetic of three harendong plant samples from some places in West Java. The study was conducted on the morphological analysis of flowers, leaves, and roots. Observations were carried out throughout the flower petals covering the direction of rotation, the structure of flower parts. Genetic analysis was performed by counting the number of chromosomes from root samples using squash with Aceto-carmine staining techniques. Based on morphological and cytogenetic study, M. malabathricum is suitable for phytoremediation agent. In order to carry out a preliminary study on the potential of this plant as a phytoremediation agent, M. malabathricum L. were grown hydroponically in a nutrient solution with different concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu). The plant’s ability to accumulate those heavy metals in root, stem and leaves were also determined. Fourty eight stems were divided into ten groups consist of control group, treatment groups which was administered with PbCl2 (25, 50, 75 M), CdCl2 (20, 100, 200 M), CuCl2 (10, 45, 130 M). The growth of plant were observed once every three day for a month. The observation include measurement of plant height, root length, and amount of leaves which were produced. The amount of Pb, Cd, and Cu which were accumulated in plant tissue was also measured at the end of research. Based on cytogenetic analysis three harendong samples are three different species which are Melastoma malabathricum L., M. affine D. Don, dan Clidemia hirta (L.) D. Don The present study also demonstrated that M. malabathricum L. showed undisturbed growth with 25, 50 and 75 M PbCl2 treatment. The accumulation analysis result indicate that M. malabathricum is the Pb accumulator plant. This finding may contribute to the development of this plant for remediation of Pb-contaminated lands.