ISSN:
1573-5036
Keywords:
Cadmium
;
Dactylis glomerata L.
;
Lactuca sativa L.
;
Lolium perenne L.
;
pH
;
Rorippa nasturstium-aquaticum L.
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract Cadmium absorption and distribution in four plant species was studied using a system of flowing solution culture with cadmium added at 0.018 mmolm−3 and solution pH controlled at 5.0, 5.5, 6.0 or 7.0. With increasing pH from 5.0 to 7.0 the total cadmium content increaed by factors of 4 in cocksfoot, 8 in perennial ryegrass and 10 in lettuce and watercress. With the two grasses less than 15% of the total cadmium was transported to the shoots irrespective of solution pH. In contrast, 45 to 75% was transported to the shoots of lettuce and watercress, so increasing the risk of cadmium causing harm by entering the food chain through the edible part of the plant. The concentration in the dry matter of lettuce shoots increased from 1.9 to 26.2μg Cd g−1 with increasing pH from 5.0 to 7.0 whilst in watercress shoots the concentration increased from 14.3 to 118.5 μg g−1. It was concluded that the absorption of cadmium by the four species was markedly suppressed by acidification due to increased competition with hydrogen ion. This would explain why plants grown on soils take up less cadmium with decreasing pH than would be expected from the increase in solubility.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02371149
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