Interactions between cadmium and zinc in hydroponically-grown peas (Pisum sativum L.)

• Main Author: Rahmoune, C
• Format: Publication
• Language: French
• Published: Gembloux (Belgium) 1992
• Subjects: ABSORCION; ABSORPTION; CADMIO; CADMIUM; CINC; CULTIVO HIDROPONICO; CULTURE HYDROPONIQUE; DOSAGE BIOLOGIQUE; ENSAYO BIOLOGICO; FISIOLOGIA VEGETAL; FITOTOXICIDAD; FOTOSINTESIS; PHOTOSYNTHESE; PHYSIOLOGIE VEGETALE; PHYTOTOXICITE; PISUM SATIVUM; ZINC

Using hydroponic culture methods, we have studied interactions between two heavy metals, cadmium and zinc, on the growth of peas which received chronic exposure to subtoxic doses of both elements. The following points were considered: the effects of Cd/Zn interactions on accumulation and translocation of root-absorbed Cd, applied both in hydroponic culture and to plants grown on solid artificial substrate; The dynamics of 109Cd desorption from roots; The study of the incidence of Cd/Zn interactions in foliar uptake of 115Cd and its subsequent translocation as well as interactions between root and foliar uptake; the analysis of modifications to the amino acid complement of the plant as a function of different rates of Cd/Zn treatment. The antagonism between the two elements is reflected by a reduction in Cd uptake in different parts of the peas plant, most notably in the seeds. Parallel to this, biochemical effects of Cd, most notably on composition of the amino acid pool and Arginase activity, are reduced in the presence of Zn. The reduction of Cd effects on peas in the presence of an excess of Zn is thought to be the result of: a reduction in Cd uptake, restriction of Cd transport, increased desorption of Cd from roots.