Effects of pH and nitrogen on cadmium uptake in potato

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of pH and nitrogen form and concentration on cadmium (Cd) uptake by potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) grown in hydroponic culture. Potato plants grown in a pH-buffered nutrient solution for 10 d were exposed for 24 h to 25 nM CdCl2 labelled with Cd-109. Plants showed a significantly higher Cd uptake and accumulation at pH 6.5 than at pH 4.5 and 5.5. Nitrogen supplied as nitrate (NO3 (-)) generally resulted in a higher Cd uptake and accumulation than N supplied as ammonium (NH4 (+)). This effect was most pronounced at pH 6.5. The N concentration increasing from 6.5 to 26 mM resulted in a decreased Cd influx when either NO3 (-) or NH4 (+) was used. Cd translocation to the shoot was increased when NO3 (-) was used as the sole N source. In conclusion, pH had a strong influence on Cd uptake by roots and N form is especially important for Cd translocation within the potato plant.

Keywords

ammonium; Cd accumulation and translocation; nitrate; Solanum tuberosum

Published in

Biologia Plantarum
2013, volume: 57, number: 4, pages: 788-792
Publisher: SPRINGER

SLU Authors

• Larsson Jönsson, Helene

  • Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Asp, Håkan

  • Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-013-0354-9

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/53073