The effect of arsenic and heavy metals on growth and metal accumulation by artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) and savory (Satureja hortensis L.). Naser karimi1*, Masumeh Khanahmadi2 and Zhaleh Soheilikhah1

The present investigation assessed the effects of a metalloid (arsenic) and two heavy metals (cadmium and mercury), on the growth and metal accumulation in two medicinal plant species, artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) and Savory (Satureja hortensis L.). The experiment was conducted hydroponically in spiked solution with different concentrations of arsenic (0, 20, 100, and 500 µM), cadmium (0, 10, 50, 250, and 500 µM) and mercury (0, 5, 25, and 50 µM) for four weeks. Under elevated arsenic and heavy metal stresses, root and shoot biomass of artichoke and savory were reduced. Shoot dry weight was significantly (p