The national maize hybrid as a potential mediator in the contamination of the food chain with heavy metals

Abstract

ABSTRACT The ability of the maize hybrid ZP666 to uptake cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) from artificially contaminated soil in a pot experiment was investigated. The applied ICP-OES methods are of satisfactory accuracy (Recovery values from 88.9 to 103.0%) and negligible matrix effect (slope ratio from 0.95 to 1.11). The determined contents of the investigated heavy metals in plant parts of maize, the mass of roots, stems and leaves, the height of the aboveground parts as well as the BCF (Biological Concentration Factor), MR (Mobility Ratio), TF (Translocation Factor) and EF (Enrichment Factor) values show the highest influence of Cd. The strongest negative effect on mass (roots 59.7%, stems 56.6%, and leaves 42.5%) and on the height of aboveground parts (13.5%) was observed in the unit treated with Cd. Also, BCF and TF (stem/root) are higher than 1 only for Cd (1.65 and 1.07, respectively) and the highest EF values are for Cd in roots in units treated with Cd and with a mixture of heavy metals (37.30 and 24.04, respectively ZP 666). MR values were less than 1 in all cases. The results obtained are useful for tracing the migration of heavy metals from the roots to the aboveground parts as well as the potential of plant parts for the enrichment of added heavy metals through possible synergistic or antagonistic interactions.