Abstract
With the rapid progress of industrialization, the effects of environmental contamination on plant toxicity, and subsequently on human health, is a growing concern. For example, the heavy metal pollution of soil such as that caused by cadmium (Cd) is a serious threat. Therefore, screening for pollution-safe edible plants is an essential approach for growing plants under heavy metal-contaminated soils. In the current study, 35 Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis L.) cultivars were selected with the aim of screening for Cd-safe cultivars (CSCs), analyzing their safety, and exploring the mechanism of Cd accumulation. Our field-culture experiments revealed that the Cd content in the edible parts of the cultivars were varied and were determined to possibly be CSCs. Hydroponics experiments were used to simulate six different degrees of soil contamination (high and low Cd concentrations) on possible CSCs. The results indicated a significant difference (p < 0.05) in Cd concentration in the cultivars, and verified the safety of these possible CSCs. The analyses of the transport coefficient and expression levels showed that the differences in Cd accumulation among the Chinese cabbage cultivars were related to the expression of genes involved in absorption and transport rather than a root-to-shoot translocation limitation.
Highlights
The intensification of soil pollution with heavy metals (HMs) has become a worldwide concern, instigated by numerous anthropogenic activities such as the large spreading of fertilizers, use of pesticides, burning of fossil fuels, mining and smelting, treatment of municipal wastes, and the creation of sewage sludge [1]
We identified Cd-safe cultivars (CSCs) from 35 Chinese cabbage cultivars by performing field-culture experiments in our study area, and verified the low-Cd accumulation potential of
The results showed that the difference in Cd content in Chinese cabbage in translocation factors among different cultivars of Chinese cabbage and the expression differences in Cd-uptake-related genes
Summary
The intensification of soil pollution with heavy metals (HMs) has become a worldwide concern, instigated by numerous anthropogenic activities such as the large spreading of fertilizers, use of pesticides, burning of fossil fuels, mining and smelting, treatment of municipal wastes, and the creation of sewage sludge [1]. The 1.46 million tons of agricultural products harvested from these soils surpass the national standards for food safety of China (NSFSC) [2]. Quality Standards for Soil of China (EQSSC) states that the maximum permissible concentration (MPC). With regard to the maximum level of contaminant in food (GB2762-2012) allowed by the NSFSC, the MPC standard of. Cd accumulates in the edible parts of plants, eventually causing acute health problems in humans via the food chain [3]. The persistent use of unsafe vegetables leads to the gradual accumulation of HMs, and with respect to toxic Cd, leads to excessive accretion in the human body that results in damage to glomerular and renal tubules, a decrease in bone mineral density, osteoporosis, and an increased risk of cancer [4,5,6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
