Abstract:Two Elsholtzia haichouensis Sun populations, one from Cu mine sites (Tonglushan) and the other from uncontaminated sites (Hongan) in Hubei province, were investigated in hydroponic experiments for the differences of Cu accumulation and ecophysiological responses to Cu under Cu treatment. The results showed that a significant increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in roots was observed in Hongan population, whereas no significant change was observed in Tonglushan population. The root pressure exudates (ml) decreased significantly in Hongan population, but increased significantly in Tonglushan population at high Cu concentration (≥20 μmol/L) treatment. Cu concentration in roots of Hongan population was significantly higher than that in Tonglushan population. For example, Cu concentration in Hongan population was 3 times and 4 times higher than that in Tonglushan population after 20 μmol/L Cu treatment for one day and three days, respectively. Cu concentration in Hongan population was 20 times and 5 times higher than that in Tonglushan population after 80 μmol/L Cu treatment for one day and three days, respectively. The intracellular and secreted acid phosphatase activities (APase) in roots were significantly higher in Tonglushan population than in Hongan one. The intracellular APase activities in Tonglushan population were 3 times higher than that in Hongan population after 80 μmol/L Cu treatment for three days and five days; The root secreted APase activities in Tonglushan population were 1.6 times and 1.8 times higher than that in Hongan population after 80 μmol/L Cu treatment for three days and five days. In conclusion, excess Cu caused serious oxidative damage in roots of Hongan population, but not in Tonglushan population. The high activities of intracellular and root-excreted APases in Tonglushan population might play an important role in reducing Cu accumulation in roots and maintaining normal phosphorus physiology metabolism in root cells under Cu stress.