Effect of Elemental Sulphur on Uptake of Cadmium, Zinc, and Sulphur by Oilseed Rape Growing in Soil Contaminated with Zinc and Cadmium

Abstract

Abstract A pot experiment was conducted to study the influence of elemental sulphur (S0) on cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), and sulphur (S) uptake by oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) grown in a calcareous soil contaminated with either Cd or Zn or with both Zn and Cd together. Elemental sulphur was applied at two rates (0 and 200 mmol), Cd at two rates (0 and 20 mg), and Zn at three rates (0, 20, and 200 mg) kg−1 soil. Cadmium (as CdCl2) and Zn (as ZnCl2) were added in solution to soil prior to planting. After 10 days, S0 and fertilizer were thoroughly mixed and added to the soil. Plants were harvested after growing for 40 days in a greenhouse. Soil pH and shoot dry weight decreased significantly in response to S0 application. Addition of Zn and Cd did not influence plant growth without S0 supply. Shoot concentrations of Zn and Cd increased significantly with Zn and Cd addition as well as S0 supply. Cadmium addition did not lead to any change in shoot Zn concentration. Shoot Cd concentration decreased in the 200 ...