Accumulation and Chemical Forms of Cadmium in Tissues of Different Vegetable Crops

Xiao, Qingqing1; Wang, Su2; Chi, Yihan3

2023-03-01

10.3390/agronomy13030680

AGRONOMY-BASEL   Impact Factor & Quartile

2073-4395

Large areas of arable lands in China have been contaminated by heavy metals, in which cadmium (Cd) contamination was the most prevalent. Cd accumulation in main food crops and leafy vegetables grown in Cd-contaminated fields has aroused considerable attention in recent years. The present study investigated the Cd pollution of farmland soils and vegetables in Qujing city of Yunnan Province, China. By comparing the Cd uptake capacities of different crops, this study aimed to provide guidance for agricultural production in Cd-contaminated farmland, and clarify the influence of Cd bioavailability in soil and chemical forms of Cd in plant roots on its migration. Results showed that soil Cd concentration was up to 37 mg kg(-1), which was 61-fold higher than the soil environmental quality standard in China. Concentration of Cd in 73% of the investigated vegetable samples, with the mean value of 5.43 mg Cd kg(-1) (dry weight basis), exceeded the food safety standard of China. Leafy vegetables had the highest bioaccumulation factors (BF) and transfer factors (TF), with the mean values of 0.53 and 0.41, respectively. Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk.), cole (Brassica campestris L.), and fennel (Foeniculum dulce Mill.) had the highest Cd TFs, with averages of 0.67, 0.66, and 0.64, respectively. On the contrary, garlic (Allium sativum L.), onions (Allium fistulosum L.), and pea (Lathyrus odoratus L.) had the lowest Cd TFs, with averages of 0.04, 0.03, and 0.04, respectively. The main chemical fraction of Cd in garlic root was insoluble phosphate (35-48%), whereas in water spinach root, it was pectate, protein binding or sorbed fraction (50-64%), resulting in a higher TF value of water spinach than garlic. These results indicate that there were significant differences in Cd uptake and accumulation between vegetables, and the Cd accumulation in leafy vegetable was significantly higher than that in alliums. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the uptake and accumulation of Cd in crop edible parts by the selection of vegetable species with low Cd accumulation capacity. The chemical fractions of Cd in crop roots, especially the proportions of more mobile fractions, might be an important reason for the root-to-shoot Cd transport and Cd accumulation in the aerial portions.

vegetables cadmium bioaccumulation factors (BF) transfer factors (TF) chemical forms

SCI

English

Others

National Natural Science Foundation of China[41501355] ; Talent Research Fund Project of Hefei University[18-19RC11] ; Borrowing Transfer to Supplement Foundation of Hefei[J2019D04] ; Anhui Provincial Department of Education, the Anhui Quality Engineering Project Practice Education Base[2021xqhzsjjd069] ; Hefei University Quality Engineering Project Course Ideological and Political Demonstration[2021hfukcsz09]

Agriculture ; Plant Sciences

Agronomy ; Plant Sciences

WOS:000957088300001

MDPI

Web of Science

1.Hefei Univ, Sch Biol Food & Environm, Hefei 230601, Peoples R China
2.Anhui Univ, Coll Art, Hefei 230601, Peoples R China
3.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Sch Environm Sci & Engn, Guangdong Prov Key Lab Soil & Groundwater Pollut C, Shenzhen 518055, Peoples R China

Xiao, Qingqing,Wang, Su,Chi, Yihan. Accumulation and Chemical Forms of Cadmium in Tissues of Different Vegetable Crops[J]. AGRONOMY-BASEL,2023,13(3).

Xiao, Qingqing,Wang, Su,&Chi, Yihan.(2023).Accumulation and Chemical Forms of Cadmium in Tissues of Different Vegetable Crops.AGRONOMY-BASEL,13(3).

Xiao, Qingqing,et al."Accumulation and Chemical Forms of Cadmium in Tissues of Different Vegetable Crops".AGRONOMY-BASEL 13.3(2023).