Crop uptake and extractability of cadmium in soils naturally high in metals at different pH levels

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was conducted for three years to study the effect of different pH levels on metal concentrations in plants and the cadmium (Cd) extractability by DTPA and NH₄NO₃. The soils used were an alum shale (clay loam) and a moraine (loam), which were adjusted to pH levels of 5.5, 6.5, 7.0, and 7.5. Wheat (Triticum aestivum), carrot (Daucus carota L.), and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) were grown as test crops. Crop yields were not consistently affected at increasing soil pH levels. The concentration of Cd in plant species decreased with increasing soil pH in both soils and in all three years. Significant concentration differences between soil pH levels were only seen in wheat and carrot crops. Increasing soil pH also decreased the nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in plants in the first year crop but the copper (Cu) concentration was not consistently affected by soil pH. The effect of pH was more pronounced in the moraine then the alum shale soil. The DTPA‐and NH₄NO₃‐extractable Cd was decreased with the increasing soil pH and the pH effect was more pronounced with NH₄NO₃ extractable Cd. Both extractants were found equally effective in relation to the Cd concentration in plants in this study.     

不同发酵饼粕对土壤镉形态及烤烟镉含量的影响

为揭示发酵饼粕对植烟土壤镉形态及烤烟镉含量的影响,以烤烟品种云烟87为材料并采用欧共体标准局(BCR)方法,研究了4种发酵饼粕分别作基肥或追施,对改变土壤镉形态和消减烤烟镉含量的作用效果。结果表明,基肥中加入或追施发酵茶粕可使土壤中易被烟株吸收的弱酸提取态镉含量分别降低33.49%和42.08%,使土壤中不能被烟株吸收的残渣态及可还原态镉含量分别增加32.87%和38.19%;加入基肥或追施发酵菜粕使土壤弱酸提取态镉含量下降24.77%,可还原态与残渣态镉增加25.60%;发酵棉粕和芝麻粕固定土壤镉的效果较差。追施发酵菜粕可使初烤烟叶镉含量减少50.44%;在基肥中加入发酵菜粕和茶粕可分别减少初烤烟叶镉含量40.88%和38.36%,其降低初烤烟叶镉含量的效果明显好于发酵棉粕和芝麻粕。     

基于小白菜Cd吸收推算土壤Cd安全阈值

Cadmium(Cd), a common toxic heavy metal in soil, has relatively high bioavailability, which seriously threatens agricultural products. In this study, 8 different soils with contrasting soil properties were collected from different regions in China to investigate the Cd transfer coefficient from soil to Chinese cabbage(Brassica chinensis L.) and the threshold levels of Cd in soils for production of Chinese cabbage according to the food safety standard for Cd. Exogenous Cd(0–4 mg kg~(-1)) was added to the soils and equilibrated for 2 weeks before Chinese cabbage was grown under greenhouse conditions. The influence of soil properties on the relationship between soil and cabbage Cd concentrations was investigated. The results showed that Cd concentration in the edible part of Chinese cabbage increased linearly with soil Cd concentration in 5 soils, but showed a curvilinear pattern with a plateau at the highest dose of exogenous Cd in the other 3 soils. The Cd transfer coefficient from soil to plant varied significantly among the different soils and decreased with increasing soil p H from 4.7 to 7.5. However, further increase in soil pH to 8.0 resulted in a significant decrease in the Cd transfer coefficient. According to the measured Cd transfer coefficient and by reference to the National Food Safety Standards of China, the safety threshold of Cd concentration in soil was predicted to be between 0.12 and 1.7 mg kg~(-1) for the tested soils. The predicted threshold values were higher than the current soil quality standard for Cd in 5 soils, but lower than the standard in the other 3 soils. Regression analysis showed a significant positive relationship between the predicted soil Cd safety threshold value and soil p H in combination with soil organic matter or clay content.     

Kinetics of cadmium uptake by green algae

The kinetics of cadmium uptake by Selenastrum capricornutum Printz was studied at 21 °C and 0 °C and at four different concentrations of free cadmium (10^?9, 10^?8, 10^?7 and 10^?3 M). The free cadmium concentrations in the medium were kept constant through buffering by a chelating agent (NTA). Initial uptake occurred within 10 min at both temperatures, indicating a fast process. At 21 °C, the cadmium uptake increased during the experimental sampling times from 0.12 to 50 h, whereas at 0 °C, the cadmium uptake remained constant after the first sampling time. Apparently, two different processes were involved in cadmium uptake, a first fast, probably passive process and a second slower, possibly physiological process. The cadmium uptake processes are described with a generalized metalligand complex formation model. The experimental dissociation constants for the fast (K _R,F ) and the slow process (K _R,S ) were reproducible for different experiments and they were both in the order of 5 10^?6 mol L^?1. For the slow process, the uptake- and release rate constants (k₁ and k₂) were quantified; for two experiments, the mean value for k_i was 111±28 L mol^?1 h^?1 and the mean value for k ₂ was (5.1±1.8) 10^?4 h^?1. These values were calculated using the fitted value of the cadmium uptake in the fast process.     

pH值对水稻幼苗吸收NO3——的影响

运用微电极技术研究了改变细胞内外pH值对常规籼稻(杨稻6号)NO3-吸收的影响。结果表明:1)未经NO3-培养的水稻根表皮细胞吸收NO3-会引起细胞膜电位瞬时的去极化或超级化。当水稻根系吸收NO3-时,表皮细胞膜电位改变的程度随外界NO3-浓度的增大而增大;在浓度为0.5.mmol/L时达到最大,而后表皮细胞膜电位的变化基本维持不变。2)外界不同pH(4.4、5.5、7.0)条件下,表皮细胞膜电位对NO3-的响应随着外界pH的升高而有所降低,并且表皮细胞膜电位对NO3-的响应在pH.8.0受抑制程度不大。3)5.mmol/L丁酸钠和3.mmol/L普鲁卡因可以使细胞内pH分别降低0.16个单位和升高0.2个单位;改变细胞内pH值对水稻吸收NO3-时引起表皮细胞膜电位的变化几乎没有明显的影响。4)不同pH条件下,培养2周左右的水稻地上部干鲜重差异显著,以pH.5.5时为最高;组织中NO3-和NH4+的含量也在pH.5.5时最高。由于细胞内pH是受系统严格调控的,具有极强的缓冲能力,因此,NO3-的吸收主要受外界pH的影响。酸性可以促进NO3-的内流;而微碱性增加了NO3-的外流,降低了NO3-的净吸收。     

The influence of the form of nitrogen nutrition on uptake and distribution of cadmium in lettuce varieties

Four lettuce (Lactuca saliva L.) varieties ('Benita’, ‘Wendy’, ‘Mirena’, and ‘Jacky') were grown for 43 days in a pH‐controlled complete nutrient solution without cadmium (Cd) or with either 0.01 or 0.03 mg Cd/1 and with NH₄ or NO₃ as the form of nitrogen nutrition. Cadmium did not affect dry matter yield. ‘Wendy’ had a significantly higher total dry matter production when grown on NO₃ compared to NH₄, whereas growth of ‘Mirena’ was best on NH₄ (P<0.05). Dry weights of ‘Benita’ and ‘Jacky’ were not affected by the N source. Cadmium concentrations in shoots (and roots) of plants grown on NH₄ were significantly higher than in plants grown on NO₃. The Zn concentrations in the shoots were also enhanced. The distribution of Cd in the lettuce varieties was independent of the form of N nutrition. It is concluded that the N source directly affects the amount of Cd taken up, without influencing the Cd distribution.     

Effect of cadmium on growth and the uptake of cadmium and other elements by durum wheat

A solution culture study was conducted to determine the effects of cadmium (Cd) application on the uptake of Cd, potassium (K), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and on the growth of seedlings of three wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var Durum) cultivars, Kyle, Nile, and SC84–994. Cadmium application decreased shoot and root biomass, root length, and leaf area. Cadmium application did not produce any differences among cultivars in these growth parameters. There were differential cultivar responses in the uptake of Cd and K but not for Zn, Mn, Cu, and Fe uptake. A solution Cd concentration of 0.1 μM did not affect the concentration of Cd and K compared to zero Cd but at and above 0.5 μM Cd, Nile had a higher concentration and contents of Cd and K in root and shoot than SC84–994 and Kyle. Kyle and SC84–994 were not different in any of the elements tested except K concentration in shoot where the order was SC84–994<Kyle<Nile. Cadmium application increased the Cd concentration but decreased the concentration of K, Zn, and Mn in root and shoot, while the Fe and Cu concentrations in shoot and root were not affected. Cultivar differences were observed in the translocation of Cd from root to shoot. In SC84–994 and Kyle, 0.5 μmole Cd/L decreased the total Cd translocated to shoot, Further addition of Cd did not affect Cd translocation, whereas in Nile, increased Cd concentration in solution did not affect Cd translocation to the shoot. A modified version of Weibull frequency distribution [y = a exp.(b.Cd^c)] was applied to explain the effect of Cd on plant growth parameters and on the uptake of K, Mn, Zn, and Cu in plants.     

Soil amelioration effects on boron uptake by sunflowers

Abstract

Results of field trials with sunflowers grown on an Ultisol over three seasons indicated that applications of lime and gypsum had little effect on the boron concentration in plant tissues. Only when 30 kg borax/ha/annum had been applied did soil amelioration slightly but significantly decrease the B concentration in 1‐month‐old sunflower seedlings. Liming for three seasons significantly decreased the B concentration in the topmost mature leaf at flowering only when 30 kg borax/ha/annum had been applied and the pH (N KCl) was 4.4 and above. A pot experiment with the same soil was designed to test whether high pH levels affected B uptake. The reduction of toxic aluminum markedly increased top and root growth but higher rates of line had no further benefit. Liming significantly decreased the B concentration in seedling tope but the total B content of the tops was increased by liming. It appeared that liming to pH (N KCl) 7.0 did not adversely affect the uptake and translocation of B by sunflower roots, and that the decreased B concentration in seedling tops resulted from a dilution effect due to the benefit from liming.     

Effect of phosphorus fertilization on calcium uptake by cigar wrapper tobacco

Abstract

Four greenhouse experiments were conducted to investigate nutritional relationships between P and Ca in cigar wrapper tobacco. Plants were grown in a soil‐peat mix in 2 of the experiments and in sand cultures in the others. Levels of P and Ca in the nutrient media were varied. Plant concentration and uptake of P and Ca were determined to evaluate nutritional relationships between the two elements. An inverse relationship between P and Ca concentrations in cigar wrapper tobacco was apparent in all 4 experiments. Phosphorus appeared to decrease Ca uptake by cigar wrapper tobacco when added in increasing amounts.     

不同叶面肥对烤烟Cd吸收及烟叶品质的影响

【目的】 农田土壤Cd污染已经成为影响烟草安全生产的主要影响因素之一。降低烟叶Cd吸收转运及Cd污染,对烟叶品质的影响研究对低危害烟草的生产具有重要意义。本文研究不同叶面肥对烟草Cd吸收及烟叶品质的影响,以期为植烟区Cd污染农田的安全利用提供理论依据。 【方法】 选取了南方植烟区的红泥田 (Cd 0.515 mg/kg)、黄泥田 (Cd 1.862 mg/kg) 及青紫泥田 (Cd 1.145 mg/kg),以南方主栽烤烟云-87和K-326为测试品种,进行了盆栽试验。以喷施蒸馏水为对照,选择了有机络合Zn叶面肥、腐植酸络合K型叶面肥、硅溶胶铁型叶面肥三种叶面肥 (编号分别为FI-1、FI-2、FI-3) 进行试验,在烟草移栽后第21、36和49天进行喷施,每次连续喷施三天。调查了烟草生物量、烟叶Cd含量和烟草品质指标。 【结果】 1) 与对照 (喷施蒸馏水,CK) 相比,在烟草苗期、团棵期和旺长期喷施3种不同叶面肥对云-87与K-326的烟叶干重有明显增加作用,其中,FI-1对烟叶干重增加效果最好,云-87与K-326的烟叶干重分别增加了24.4%和30.8%;不同叶面肥在三种不同性质土壤中对烟叶增重效果顺序为FI-1 > FI-2 ≈ FI-3;2) 不同叶面肥处理可明显降低云-87与K-326中部烟叶Cd含量。与对照相比,在红泥田 (A) 土中,云-87与K-326烟叶Cd含量分别降低18.0%～35.7%、26.2%～40.2%;在黄泥田 (B) 中,云-87与K-326烟叶Cd含量分别降低10.3%～36.1%和24.8%～42.2%;在青紫泥田 (C) 土壤中,云-87与K-326烟叶Cd含量分别降低26.1%～33.0%和19.4%～30.8%。不同叶面肥对三种不同性质土壤上烟叶Cd降低的总体效果为FI-1 > FI-2 > FI-3。3) 三种叶面肥处理烟叶中总氮、钾含量比对照有明显增加,其中FI-1、FI-2处理与对照 (CK) 相比均差异显著 ( P < 0.05) ;而与对照相比,不同叶面肥均在一定程度降低了烟叶中烟碱与氯的含量 ( P < 0.05) ,其中FI-1、FI-2处理烟叶中烟碱与氯含量显著降低,而FI-3处理效果不明显;三种不同叶面肥均在不同程度提高了烟叶中钾氯比、糖碱比和氮碱比,其中FI-1和FI-2效果更显著。除了青紫泥田土壤中,FI-3处理K-326烟叶中的还原糖偏高外,总体而言,喷施不同叶面肥处理的烟叶化学成分大部分均处于适宜范围内,其中,FI-1、FI-2处理对提高烟叶品质指标具有显著效果。 【结论】 三种叶面肥对降低烟草Cd的吸收和运转都具有显著效果,有机络合Zn型和腐植酸络合K型叶面肥还有效提高了烟叶的品质。因此,喷施有机络合Zn型和腐植酸络合K型叶面肥可作为Cd污染土壤上进行烟草安全高效生产的有效措施。      

苏打盐碱化土壤pH与团聚体中球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白含量的关系

球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白(Glomalin-related soil protein,GRSP)在土壤团聚体形成中起重要作用,与土壤团聚体稳定性正相关。土壤盐碱化破坏土壤结构,降低土壤中GRSP含量,但影响多大尺寸团聚体GRSP含量并不清楚。本文采集45个松嫩盐碱化草地土壤样品,通过干筛法分离出直径0.25、0.25~1和1~2 mm 3种不同粒级团聚体,采用Bradford法测定土壤中GRSP含量,并测定土壤盐碱化指标,经Pearson相关分析和前向选择变量多元线性回归分析,结果显示:土壤pH显著影响各粒级团聚体总球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白(T-GRSP)含量和难提取球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白(DE-GRSP)含量,二者存在显著负相关关系,特别是0.25~1 mm粒级团聚体DE-GRSP含量与土壤pH存在极显著负相关关系,可解释22.3%的DE-GRSP含量变化。土壤pH、电导率、碱解氮和有效磷对各粒级团聚体易提取球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白(EE-GRSP)影响不显著。结果表明土壤苏打盐碱化影响0.25~1 mm团粒结构中较稳定的DE-GRSP含量,可能对土壤团聚体胶联和土壤碳存储产生负影响。     

Effect of pH on the uptake of cadmium,copper, and zinc from soilless media containing sewage sludge

Abstract

Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris cicla ’Fordhook Giant'), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris ’Hawksbury Wonder'), and Agrostis capillaris ’Parys’ were grown in soilless media composed of Pinus radiata bark and 0–41% by volume of dried sewage sludge containing [in mg/kg] cadmium (Cd) [22], copper (Cu) [1,116], and zinc (Zn) [1,121]. Sublots of all mixtures were adjusted to pH 4.5, 5.5, or 6.5. Shoot weights were not reduced by sludge addition but those of Swiss chard and bean shoots declined with pH. Shoot contents of Cu, Cd, and Zn increased with decreasing pH. Shoot Cu concentrations were always sub‐toxic, and in Swiss chard toxicity symptoms were not observed until shoot Zn content reached 1,300 mg/kg. Cadmium in Swiss chard shoots reached 22 mg/kg. Metal concentrations in the shoots were well correlated with total and extractable metals in the media only if pH was included in the regression equations.     

镉胁迫下生物炭与锌/钾叶面肥促进烟草生长降低镉富集的协同效应

[目的]生物炭和叶面肥在单独调控重金属胁迫条件下植物生长及重金属离子吸收方面的应用价值已被一些研究证实,然而它们在土壤重金属镉污染修复中的耦合效应及其机制尚不十分清楚。烟草为镉易富集植物,研究生物炭和锌/钾叶面肥单施或联合施用对烟草生长和镉富集特性的影响,为镉污染土壤的修复及烟草安全生产提供理论依据。[方法]采用盆栽模拟轻度土壤镉污染胁迫试验,供试烟草品种为‘中烟100’。设置6个试验处理:对照(CK)、土施生物炭20 g/kg(B)、喷施0.5%ZnSO4叶面肥(Zn)、喷施0.5%KH2PO4叶面肥(K)、生物炭+喷施ZnSO4叶面肥(B+Zn)、生物炭+喷施KH2PO4叶面肥(B+K),每个处理重复8次。将烟草分割为根、茎、下部叶(从下到上1~5片)、中部叶(6~10片)、上部叶(11~15片)5部分。测定株高、生物量、丙二醛含量(MAD)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、烟株各部位的镉含量,计算了镉富集和转运系数,分析了土壤中镉形态的变化。[结果]1)单独施用叶面肥较单独施用生物炭更有利于增强镉胁迫下叶片的抗氧化性能,促进烟株生长。与B处理相比,Zn和K处理的MDA含量分别降低12.8%和15.1%,POD活性分别增加32.2%和29.9%,CAT活性分别增加25.5%和18.2%(P<0.05),Zn和K两处理之间的抗氧化酶活性无显著差异(P>0.05)。单独施用生物炭较单独施用叶面肥更有利于降低土壤中镉的生物有效性。与Zn和K处理相比,B处理的土壤弱酸提取态镉含量分别降低19.0%和19.3%,可还原态镉含量分别降低22.3%和23.9%(P<0.05)。单独喷施叶面肥对土壤镉形态无显著影响(P>0.05)。2)生物炭和叶面肥配施具有叠加效应,且B+Zn处理对促进镉胁迫下烟株生长和减少烟株镉吸收方面效果大于B+K处理。与CK、B、Zn处理相比,B+Zn处理的株高分别增加52.8%、25.9%和11.8%,地上干重分别增加146%、89.1%和45.3%,SOD活性分别增加29.8%、19.7%和11.0%,POD活性分别增加94.0%、64.1%和24.1%,CAT活性分别增加183.8%、90.9%和52.2%,烟株根镉含量分别减少53.9%、25.2%和31.6%,茎镉含量分别减少74.5%、53.9%和63.7%,上部叶镉含量分别减少63.1%、18.8%和40.1%,中部叶镉含量分别减少63.6%、27.7%和35.3%,下部叶镉含量分别减少63.8%、34.1%和46.9%,烟株镉生物富集系数分别降低64.4%、31.0%和48.4%,镉生物转运系数分别降低33.3%、20.2%和28.5%,土壤中弱酸提取态镉含量分别降低19.5%、7.5%和19.0%,土壤中还原态镉含量分别降低22.9%、2.0%和20.8%,土壤中可氧化态镉含量分别增加62.5%、5.6%和54.6%,土壤中残渣态镉含量分别增加206.9%、10.7%和174.7%。与B+K处理相比,B+Zn处理的烟株地上干重增加18.3%,上部叶、中部叶、下部叶镉含量分别减少8.4%、13.9%和16.9%,镉生物富集系数和转运系数分别降低20.8%和8.5%。[结论]在镉污染胁迫下,土施生物炭可以降低土壤中镉的生物有效性,减少烟草的吸收。叶面喷施锌、钾肥可以提高烟草植株的抗氧化性能,促进烟株生长。生物炭配合叶面肥具有明显的协同作用,降低烟草中镉的运转系数和富集系数的效果显著高于锌/钾叶面肥单独施用。在本试验条件下,生物炭配合喷施硫酸锌的效果好于生物炭配合喷施磷酸二氢钾,可作为提高烟草生产安全及土壤镉污染修复的一项有效措施。     

Soil temperature affects element uptake by sorghum

The influence of soil temperature on nutrient accumulation in aerial portions of sorghum plants was evaluated in a greenhouse experiment. Plants were grown in 20‐liter containers at cooled and ambient soil temperatures of 20 and 25C, respectively, and were harvested at the 8‐ and 12‐leaf stages of development for yield and nutrient analysis.

At the 8‐leaf stage, sorghum plants subjected to 25C were significantly higher in concentration of N, P, K, Mg, and Cu, but were significantly lower in Ca. Soil temperature did not significantly affect concentration of Zn, Fe, and Mn. At the 12‐leaf stage, sorghum plants grown in the warm soil temperature treatment were lower in concentration of N, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than plants grown in the cooled‐soil treatment. Phosphorus showed a negative response to increased temperature.

It was concluded that further research relating element uptake and translocation to temperature is needed. Element accumulation in the roots, stems, leaves, and floral and seed portions of the plant should be included. In addition, the interaction between plant age and element concentration should be studied more thoroughly. Both this study and the published literature indicate that this interaction is significant for many of the elements.     

The influence of pH,soil type and time on adsorbtion and uptake by plants of Cd added to the soil

Adsorption of Cd by two soils and its uptake by perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and winter rape (Brassica napus) as a function of pH (pH 4 to 7) and the amount of Cd added to the soil (0 to 5 mg kg^?1 soil) were studied in a 2-yr pot experiment. In the soils, the more soluble fractions of Cd increased as the pH was lowered. Increasing the pH from 5 to 7 by adding CaO invariably reduced the Cd-content of ryegrass plants, but this decrease was less consistent where the pH had only been increased to 6. In some cases, acidifying the soil with S to reach a pH of 4 also led to a decrease in plant Cd-content. The Cd-content of rapeseed plants was markedly higher at pH 4 than at pH 5. Plant damage at low pH was observed in this crop. Water-leachable and CaCl₂-extractable soil Cd levels as well as plant uptake were higher in the sand soil than in the clay soil, whereas 1M NH₄AcO (buffered at pH 4.8 and 7) extracted roughly equal amounts from both soils. Adding more Cd to the soil did not change the relation between Cd levels in soil and those in plants; instead the amounts of Cd in both increased in direct proportion to the amounts added. Fixation of added Cd apparently did not occur continuously at any pH or Cd-level during the 2-yr period, but seasonal variations in solubility and uptake were observed.     

Soil fumigation effects on growth and phosphorus uptake by corn

Abstract

Phosphorus uptake rate, plant top weight, and grain yield were measured for corn (Zea mays L.) planted in field plots with or without fumigation, with different levels of P fertilization, and under conventional till and no till management. Plant growth and grain yield in P‐deficient, unfumigated conventional till and no till plots were significantly higher than those in the corresponding fumigated plots. The heightened responses were attributed to enhancement of P uptake by biological activity. Therefore, the effect of differential microblal activity on P uptake must be considered in estimating the lowest level of P fertilization needed for adequate growth in low P soils.     

The influence of phosphate fertilizer application levels and cultivars on cadmium uptake by Komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. var. perviridis)

Cadmium (Cd) is a common impurity in phosphate fertilizers and application of phosphate fertilizer may contribute to soil Cd accumulation. Changes in Cd burdens to agricultural soils and the potential for plant Cd accumulation resulting from fertilizer input were investigated in this study. A field experiment was conducted on Haplaquept to investigate the influence of calcium superphosphate on extractable and total soil Cd and on growth and Cd uptake of different Komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. var. perviridis) cultivars. Four cultivars of Komatsuna were grown on the soil and harvested after 60 days. The superphosphate application increased total soil Cd from 2.51 to 2.75?mg?kg^?1, 0.1?mol?L^?1 hydrochloric acid (HCl) extractable Cd from 1.48 to 1.55?mg?kg^?1, 0.01?mol?L^?1 HCl extractable Cd from 0.043 to 0.046?mg?kg^?1 and water extractable Cd from 0.0057 to 0.0077?mg?kg^?1. Cd input reached 5.68?g?ha^–1 at a rate of 240?kg?ha^–1 superphosphate fertilizer application. Superphosphate affected dry-matter yield of leaves to different degrees in each cultivar. ‘Nakamachi’ produced the highest yield in 2008 and ‘Hamami No. 2’ in 2009. Compared with the control (no phosphate fertilizer), application of superphosphate at a rate of 240?kg?ha^–1 increased the Cd concentration in dry leaves by 0.14?mg?kg^?1 in ‘Maruha’, 1.03?mg?kg^?1 in ‘Nakamachi’, 0.63?mg?kg^?1 in ‘SC8-007’ in 2008, and by 0.19?mg?kg^?1 in Maruha’, 0.17?mg?kg^?1 in ‘Hamami No. 2’, while it decreased by 0.27?mg?kg^?1 in ‘Nakamachi’ in 2009. Field experiments in two years demonstrated that applications of different levels of calcium superphosphate did not influence Cd concentration in soil and Komatsuna significantly. However, there was a significant difference in Cd concentration of fresh and dry Komatsuna leaves among four cultivars in 2008 and 2009. The highest Cd concentration was found in the ‘Nakamachi’ cultivar (2.14?mg?kg^?1 in 2008 and 1.91?mg?kg^?1 in 2009). The lowest Cd concentration was observed in the ‘Maruha’ cultivar (1.51?mg?kg^?1?dry weight (DW)) in 2008 and in the ‘Hamami No. 2’ cultivar (1.56?mg?kg^?1?DW) in 2009. A decreasing trend in Cd concentration was found in ‘Nakamachi’, followed by ‘SC8-007’, ‘Hamami No. 2’ and ‘Maruha’ successively. It is necessary to consider a low-uptake cultivar for growing in a Cd polluted soil. In these two years’ results, ‘Maruha’ cultivar was the lowest Cd uptake cultivar compared to the others.     

Influence of pH on growth and nutrient uptake by crop species in an Oxisol

Abstract

Crop growth in Oxisols is known to be limited by high soil acidity and low levels of basic cations. Five greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of soil pH on the growth and nutrient uptake of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), corn (Zea mays L.), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.). Six levels of soil pH (4.1, 4.7, 5.3, 5.9, 6.6, and 7.0) were achieved by addition of various levels of CaCO₃. Crop species responded differently to pH, reflecting the genetic diversity among species. Higher dry matter accumulation in roots and tops of rice, corn, and cowpea was observed at acidic pH ranges indicating that these species are tolerant to soil acidity. However, increasing soil pH enhanced dry matter accumulation in roots and tops of wheat and common bean, reflecting their intolerance to soil acidity. In all of the crop species, uptake of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) decreased with a decrease in soil pH. Overall uptake of zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) in all species increase with a decrease in soil pH. Higher pH in an Oxisol might induce micronutrient deficiencies; therefore, one has to avoid overliming. In general, increasing soil pH decreased the uptake of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in rice, but uptake of these elements increased in wheat, corn, and common bean. In order to achieve the full genetic potential of any given species on an Oxisol, one needs to consider the species tolerance to soil acidity and its nutrient demand.     

Influence of pH on copper, lead and cadmium binding by an ombrotrophic peat

The effect of pH on the adsorption of copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) by a peat soil was studied, and the results compared with those corresponding to cation binding by a dissolved peat humic acid (HA), and interpreted with a NICA–Donnan model. A potentiometric titration technique was used to determine the adsorption isotherms for H⁺, at different ionic strengths, and for Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ at different pH values, in a peat soil. The effect of the ionic strength on proton binding was similar for the soil (solid) organic matter and for dissolved HA. The adsorption isotherms for cation–peat and the binding curves cation–dissolved HA are almost parallel, although more cation was adsorbed per kg of C in the dissolved HA. The effect of pH on cation binding is similar for dissolved organic matter and for the organic soil. At low metal concentration the amount of adsorbed metal followed the order Cu²⁺ > Pb²⁺ > Cd²⁺. The cation-binding parameters obtained with the NICA–Donnan model allow excellent simulation of the effect of pH on the adsorption of Cu, Pb and Cd ions in the studied peat soil. The binding constants for the peat suspension were greater than the corresponding generic parameters for dissolved HA. Speciation calculations showed that for Cu and Pb, the most abundant fraction was the metal adsorbed on peat, whereas for Cd the most abundant fraction was dissolved metal.