Some Interactions in Plants Among Cadmium, Other Heavy Metals, and Chelating Agents¹

Abstract

Four experiments were conducted under glasshouse conditions with either soil or solution culture to evaluate interactions of Cd among other mineral elements in plants when yields are decreased by Cd as can happen under conditions of contamination. Chelating agents were included in the study because of their uses in plant nutrition and because they are known to increase uptake and translocation differentially of trace metals. Bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. ‘Improved Tendergreen’) were grown with 10−6, 10−5 and 10−4M Cd in solution culture. Vegetative yields were depressed in the presence of Cd; 10−4M produced the greatest reduction (61%). The Cd concentration in plants was roots > stems < leaves. All levels of applied Cd significantly depressed the Mn concentration in leaves, stems, and roots. This, was the most prominent interaction. In a test with Yolo loam soil (Typic Xerorthents, fine‐loamy, mixed, slightly acid, thermic) with bush beans, Cd was applied at 0, 50, and 100 μg Cd/g soil as CdSo4. Each level was interacted with either NTA (nitrilotriacetic acid) EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) (100 μ/g soil) as Na salts. Yields were depressed substantially by 50 μ Cd/g soil only when chelating agents were also applied (36% for NTA and 48% for EDTA). The 100 μ Cd/g soil decreased yields only slightly without chelating agents (28%). Cadmium significantly decreased Mn and Cu concentrations in leaves and overcame much of the tendency of the chelating agents to increase concentrations of Mn, Cu, and Fe in plants. Zinc was decreased only on the per plant basis with the highest applied level of Cd with chelating agents. The Cd decreased the Ca and Mn concentrations in leaves of bush beans. Cadmium levels in the plants were increased by EDTA from 6 to 423 μ/g dry weight at the high Cd level. In another experiment with the same soil, diethylenetriamine pentaacetate acid (DTPA) (100 μ/g soil) increased uptake of Cd to 35 μ/g dry weight in bush beans. The interactions were similar to those with the other chelating agents. A leaf concentration of 15 μ Cd/g (dry weight basis) decreased yields of bush beans. With corn (Zea mays L. var. ‘Golden Bantam’) grown also in the same soil, the addition of 5% CaCO3 decreased yield reduction due to Cd by decreasing its uptake (by 64% for 200 μ Cd/g soll and 76% for 400 μ). A concentration of 219 μ Cd/g in corn shoots decreased yields. Caution in the use of metal chelates is indicated when soils contain significant levels of available Cd.

Interactive Effects of Cadmium, Copper and Nickel on the Growth of Sitka Spruce and Studies of Metal Uptake From Nutrient Solutions

“…Figure 3 sbows tbat both Cd and Cu individually induced large decreases in the levels of Mn in tbe roots. It has been reported previously that Mn uptake by bushbeans was reduced in the presence of Cd (Wallace et at., 1977), and the results obtained bere therefore agree with these findings. Copper treatments also decreased Mn uptake, and Cu interacted with Cd in such a way that Mn uptake was not reduced any further wben botb Cd and Cu were present.…”

Changes in valued ?Capacities? of soils and sediments as indicators of nonlinear and time-delayed environmental effects

“…Working with a soil amended with cadmiun: at varying rates (0 to 100 µg Cd/g dry soil) , John (1972) found that an application of lime (ca(OBh) which increased the pH of the soil from 4.1 to 5.5 resulted in decreased cadmiu m concentrations in radish tops and roots. Other investigators (Williams and David, 1973;MacLean, 1976;Wallace et al, 1977) have observed decreased cadmium uptake by subterranean clover, lettuce, and corn with additions of lime or CaC0 3 to the soil.…”

White Oak Creek Watershed: Melton Valley Area Remedial Investigation Report, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee: Volume 3 Appendix C

“…Competition between the two for organic ligands may explain some of the toxic effects of Cd, and the ameliorative effects of Zn on Cd toxicity. Cadmium depresses uptake of Fey Mn, and probably Ca, Mg, and N (Wallace et al, 1977d;Iwai, et al 1975). Cadmium is toxic at low concentrations.…”