Interactive Effects of the Application of Different Cd Forms and an Acidifying Agent on Plant Available Metals and Postharvest Soil Extractability

Publisher Summary This chapter proposes a pot experiment designed under greenhouse to investigate the effects of the addition of different forms of cadmium and an acidifying agent on Cd, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Pb concentrations and uptake by wheat. After harvesting, soil metals extracted with diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), AAA–ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and 4M HNO 3 (total) are also determined. The chapter discusses the results obtained. In the study described in the chapter, dry weight of straw and wheat grain was reduced up to 8% when the soil was contaminated with Cd. Cd levels found in the edible part of wheat may represent a health hazard if the crop is consumed. After harvesting, more than 50% of Cd added remained in the soil as available forms. Cd mixed with sewage sludge led to a higher increase in Cd uptake by wheat than the inorganic Cd. In contrast, after harvesting, DTPA-extractable Cd was higher when inorganic Cd was added to the soil. The addition of the acidifying agent increased plant and soil Mn content. Cd, Zn and, Cu were affected to a lesser extent. In all treatments assayed, the percentage of total soil Pb extracted with DTPA was greater than the percentages of Zn, Cu, Mn, and Ni extracted.