Effect of elevated concentrations of Cd and Zn in soil on spring wheat yield and the metal contents of the plants

Abstract

The effect of increasing concentrations of Cd and Zn in a sandy soil on spring wheat (Triticum vulgare L.) yields and the metal contents of the plants was examined in a pot experiment to establish critical levels of these metals in soil. The metals were added (individually and jointly) to the soil as sulfates in the following doses (in μg g⁻¹, dry wt.): Cd — 2, 3, 5,10, 15, 25, and 50; Zn −200, 300, 500, 1000, 1500, 2500, and 5000. Cadmium added to soil did not affect yields of wheat. The Zn dose of 1000 μg g⁻¹ strongly reduced crop yields; at 1500 μg g⁻ Zn dose wheat did not produce grain. The metal contents of wheat increased with increasing concentrations of Cd and Zn in soil up to 10.3 and 1587 μ g⁻ of Cd and Zn in straw, respectively. The concentrations of both metals were higher in straw than in grain by factors of 3–7 and 1.5–2 for Zn and Cd, respectively. The relationships between Cd and Zn contents of the plants and soils were best expressed by exponential equations. High concentrations of Zn in soils (1042 and 1542 μg g⁻¹) enhanced uptake of Cd by plants. The tested threshold concentrations of the metals in soils (3 μg g⁻¹ for Cd and 200–300 μg g⁻¹ for Zn) are safe for Zn but are too high for Cd in terms of protecting plants from excessive metal uptake. The critical Cd content of sandy soil should not exceed 1.5 μg g⁻.