Cadmium and Zinc Concentration in Grain of Durum Wheat in Relation to Phosphorus Fertilization, Crop Sequence and Tillage Management

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at two locations in Manitoba, Canada, to determine the effect of crop rotation, phosphorus (P) fertilization and tillage on grain yield and grain concentrations of Cd and Zn in durum wheat (Triticum durum L.). Compared to conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT) management decreased grain Cd and increased grain yield and grain Zn in half of the site-years. The type of preceding crops of spring wheat-flax or canola-flax had little influence. Rate and timing of P application had little effect on grain Cd, but increasing P rate tended to decrease grain Zn. No interactive effect was detected among tested factors. Grain Zn was not related to grain Cd, but positively to other nutrients such as Fe, Mn, P, Ca, K, and Mg. Both grain Zn and Fe correlated positively with grain protein content, suggesting protein may represent a sink for micronutrients. The study suggested that the tillage management may have beneficial effects on both grain yield and quality. Phosphorus fertilizer can remain available for subsequent crops and high annual inputs in the crop sequence may decrease crop grain Zn. Understanding the environment is important in determining the impact of agricultural management on agronomic and nutrient traits.

Effect of inorganic amendments for in situ stabilization of cadmium in contaminated soils and its phyto-availability to wheat and rice under rotation

“…In contaminated soils, P-metal complex formation depends upon several factors such as type of P amendment, plant species, and excretion of organic acids by plant roots . However, phosphorus sources should be used with great attention, as there might be a risk of soil contamination with Cd due to Cd present in P fertilizers (Gao and Grant 2012). Thus, the use of gypsum amendment might be a suitable choice for metal stabilization in soil as compared to P amendments.…”

Cadmium Uptake by Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): An Overview

“…Zhao et al [80] reported that Zn might prevent Cd translocation from roots to shoots. Zinc and Cd are chemically similar and may compete for transport mechanisms during uptake and translocation in the crop [14]. Zhou et al [81] noted that Zn has antagonistic and synergistic effects on Cd uptake by plants.…”

Agronomic Advancement in Tillage, Crop Rotation, Soil Health, and Genetic Gain in Durum Wheat Cultivation: A 17-Year Canadian Story

“…For example, a three-year rotational study on silt loam soil in southwestern Saskatchewan showed that durum wheat increased grain yields by 5% and grain protein concentration by 6% when following canola and mustard than following spring wheat, while the durum wheat increased grain yield by 7% and protein concentration by 11% when following pulse crops, relative to after spring wheat [9]. In Orthic Black Chernozemic soils in southern Manitoba, which is outside the durum wheat area, wheat-flax-durum and canola-flax-durum rotations repeated for three cycles showed that canola-flax as preceding crops led to greater subsequent durum wheat yield than wheat-flax as the previous crops in only one out of six site-years [90]. Many factors are involved in the inconsistent rotational effects, such as soil type [61] and agronomic practices [91].…”