Differences in uptake and distribution patterns between zinc and cadmium in Vicia villosa

Abstract

Vicia villosa is an annual legume plant. Field-growing experiments were performed on six plots under different soil conditions. Variations in the concentrations of Zn and Cd in tissues were investigated. Differences in distribution patterns between Zn and Cd appeared during growing: the concentrations of Zn in roots in sandstone-derived soils were relatively higher than those in limestone-derived soils, and the uptake patterns of Zn by roots should be similar to those of iron (Fe). However, the concentrations of Cd in roots in limestone-derived soils were higher than those in sandstone-derived soils, and the uptake patterns of Cd by roots should be similar to those of manganese (Mn). On the contrast, the distribution patterns of Zn were similar to those of Mn, while the distribution patterns of Cd were similar to those of Fe in tissues, indicating that the uptake patterns of Zn and Cd were different from distribution patterns.