Cadmium uptake and bioaccumulation in selected cultivars of durum wheat and flax as affected by soil type

Abstract

Accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in crop plants is of great concern due to the potential for food chain contamination through the soil-root interface. Although Cd uptake varies considerably with plant species, the processes which determine the accumulation of Cd in plant tissues are affected by soil factors. The influence of soil type on Cd uptake by durum wheat (Triticum turgidum vat. durum L.) and flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) was studied in a pot experiment under environmentally controlled growth chamber conditions. Four cultivars/lines of durum wheat (Kyle, Sceptre, DT 627,and DT 637) and three cultivars/lines of flax (Flanders, AC Emerson, and YSED 2) were grown in two Saskatchewan soils: an Orthic Gray Luvisol (low background Cd concentration; total/ABDTPA extractable Cd: 0.12/0.03 mg kg -l, respectively) and a Dark Brown Chernozem (relatively high background Cd concentration; total/ABDTPA Cd: 0.34/0.17 mg kg-~ respectively). Plant roots, stems, newly developed heads, and grain/seeds were analyzed for Cd concentration at three stages of plant growth: two and seven weeks after germination, and at plant maturity. The results showed that Cd bioaccumulation and distribution within the plants were strongly affected by both soil type and plant cultivar/line. The Cd concentration in roots leaves and stems varied at different stages of plant growth. However, all cultivars of both plant species grown in the Chernozemic soil accumulated more Cd in grain/seeds than plants grown in the Orthic Gray Luvisol soil. The different Cd accumulation pattern also corresponded to the levels of ABDTPA extractable and metal-organic complex bound soil Cd found in both soils. Large differences were found in grain Cd among the durum wheat cultivars grown in the same soil type, suggesting the importance of rhizosphere processes in Cd bioaccumulation and/or Cd transport processes within the plant. Distribution of Cd in parts of mature plants showed that durum grain contained up to 21 and 36% of the total amount of Cd taken up by the plants for the Orthic Gray Luvisol and Chernozemic soils, respectively. These results indicate the importance of studying Cd speciation, bioaccumulation and cycling in the environment for the management of agricultural soils and crops.

Cadmium concentrations in some New Zealand wheat grain

“…29 concentrations in many of the Australian wheat cultivars studied, and identified trends in cultivar accumulation. Cieslinski et al (1996) also found Cd accumulation in wheat grain was strongly affected by wheat cultivar in a Canadian study. Since there is genetic variability within a species in its ability to accumulate Cd, it may be possible, through plant breeding to develop crop cultivars which accumulate relatively low Cd concentrations.…”

“…29 many of the Australian wheat cultivars studied, as did Andrew et al (1997). Cieslinski et al (1996) also showed that Cd accumulation in wheat grain was strongly affected by wheat cultivar in Canada. In New Zealand, Roberts et al (1995) also found that 'Monad' was the wheat cultivar which accumulated the greatest grain Cd concentrations compared to four other named cultivars.…”

Efficiency Assessment of bioremediated water and soil on cultivation of maize plant.

“…Due to the high presenc e of heav y m etal i n polluted soil. Ni cont ent in t he s oil aft er cultivation w as l ower than bef ore c ultivati on, due t o Ni upt ake by maiz e. Micronutrients and heav y met als concentrations in s oil sol ution play a critical role in controlling m et al av ailabilit y t o plants (Cieslinski et al, 1996). As m et als, c annot be broken down, when c onc entrations wit hin the plant exc eed optimal lev els, they advers el y aff ect plant b oth direc tl y or i ndirectl y. Som e of the direc t t oxic effects caus ed b y high metal conc entrati on i nclud e inhibitio n of cytoplasmic enz ym es and dam age to cell struct ures due t o oxidativ e s tress (Assc he and Clijsters, 1990).…”

Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Cassava Tubers Grown around Two Major Cement Factories in Ogun State, Nigeria

“…Metals such as cadmium and copper are cumulative poisons, which cause environmental hazards and are reported to be exceptionally toxic [6]. Accumulation of heavy metals in crop plants is often of great concern due to its potential for food contamination through the soil root interface [7].…”