Pedogenic factors and measurements of the plant uptake of cobalt

Abstract

Understanding the factors which affect plant uptake of cobalt (Co) across a range of soil types is essential for both continued agricultural productivity as well as for possible remediation of contaminated sites. This review examines the relevant pedogenic processes contributing to plant uptake of Co from soils based on a critical evaluation of existing numerical data. Numerous pedogenic factors have been put forward in the scientific literature to account for the plant uptake of Co, including total, extractable and isotopically exchangeable soil Co concentrations, pH and other soil chemical parameters (e.g. manganese concentrations), microbial variations as well as anthropogenic inputs. Despite there being certain instances where significant correlations occur between these parameters and plant uptake of Co, an examination of multiple data sets shows that these relationships are spatially isolated. With the measureable parameters showing only weak correlations at best, there should be a degree of scepticism regarding the interpretation of reported data sets. Newly evolving techniques which assess kinetically-bioavailable in-situ soil concentrations, such as diffusive gradient thinfilms, offer the potential to better address plant Co uptake across a range of soil types.

Metals Uptake by Wastewater Irrigated Vegetables and their Daily Dietary Intake in Peshawar, Pakistan / Pobieranie Metali Przez Warzywa Nawadniane Ściekami I Ich Dzienne Stężenie W Diecie Ludności Peszawaru, Pakistan

“…Among all the vegetables spinach was observed to accumulate higher amount of Co irrespective of the irrigation source (0.49 to 0.76 mg · kg -1 ), while the concentration of Co was in the range of 0.17 to 0.76 mg · kg -1 and 0.09 to 0.81 mg · kg -1 for all the vegetables in wastewater and tube well water irrigation system respectively (Tables 2, 3). Cobalt has been known for biochemical functions and was detected in legumes, spinach, cabbage, lettuce, beet greens and figs while higher plants may not require this metal [26,44,45]. In our study the Co concentration was higher than 0.01 to 1.0 mg · kg -1 reported by Khan et al [16].…”

Water relations in plants subjected to heavy metal stresses

“…In Salix caprea, a marked decrease in total root area was observed after exposure to Zn, Cd or a combination of both metals (Vaculík et al 2012). Abnormalities in metal-stressed plants frequently described in the literature include decreased elongation of the primary root, impaired secondary growth, increased root dieback and reduced root hair surface: Ag (Anjum et al 2013), As (Garg and Singla 2011;Panda et al 2010;Sharma 2012), Cd (Gallego et al 2012;Lux et al 2011), Co (Collins and Kinsela 2011), Cr (Chandra and Kulshreshtha 2004;Hayat et al 2012b;Shanker et al 2005), Cu (Burkhead et al 2009), Hg (Chen and Yang 2012), Ni (Sreekanth et al 2013), Pb (Fahr et al 2013;Feleafel and Mirdad 2013;Sharma and Dubey 2005), Zn (Broadley et al 2007;Ivanov et al 2003). Metal-induced structural changes lead to inadequate root-soil contact and lower the capacity of plants to exploit the water from the soil.…”

Accumulation of some heavy metals in plants and soils adjacent to Cairo – Alexandria agricultural highway

“…Collins and Kinsela (2011) recorded that soil total content of cobalt has no impact on its uptake by plants. Other soil factors might affect Co availability and uptake ,e.g.…”