No abstract

A pot experiment investigated the effects of iron (Fe) fertilization on cadmium (Cd) uptake by rice seedlings irrigated with Cd solution. Shoot dry weight was significantly affected by Fe addition, and root dry weight was affected by Cd addition. Iron supply was the dominant factor affecting the length of the longest leaf and the soil and plant analyzer development (SPAD) value. Cadmium concentrations were much greater in roots than in dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate (DCB) extracts or shoots, and a significant correlation was found between shoot Fe and Cd concentrations. Enhanced Cd uptake observed at high Fe supply implies that enhanced Fe nutrition may counteract the adverse effects of Cd on plants.