Effect of genotype on cadmium and trace element accumulation in wheat from weakly alkaline cadmium-contaminated soil

Abstract

Abstract Cadmium (Cd) contamination of farmland soils leads to an increase in Cd accumulation and a decrease in the uptake of micronutrients by crops, posing grave risks to food safety. Herein, we investigated the enrichment and transportation patterns of Cd and trace elements in different parts of six wheat genotypes grown in weakly alkaline Cd-contaminated soils via pot experiments. Additionally, we delved into the connections between trace elements and Cd accumulation in wheat. The results revealed notable variations in the uptake of Cd in wheat grains based on genotype. The wheat grain variety with high Cd accumulation (Ningmai13) demonstrated a 1.94-fold increase compared to the variety with low accumulation (Yanong0428). The enrichment factor of Cd in wheat followed the order: root > stem > grain. Furthermore, the transfer of Cd from wheat straw to grain ranged from 0.319 to 0.761, while the transfer factor of Cd from root to straw ranged from 0.167 to 0.461. Regarding other metals, the concentrations of Zn, Mn, Cu, and Fe in wheat grains ranged as follows: 42 − 88 mg·kg-1, 27 − 49 mg·kg-1, 4 − 8 mg·kg-1, and 23 − 56 mg·kg-1, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between Cd and Mn in wheat grains, indicating a potential synergistic effect that requires further investigation. However, no significant positive correlation was observed between Cd and Cu or Fe. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the regulation of micronutrient intake to modulate Cd uptake in wheat, laying the foundation for further research in this area.