Growth and accumulation of cadmium in Amaranthus [Amaranthus tricolor L.] as influenced by various levels of cadmium in soil

ABSTRACT

A pot experiment with six levels of cadmium [0, 1, 3, 5. 7 and 9 mg kg[-1] soil] conducted to investigate the effects of cadmium on the growth of Amaranthus [Amaranthus tricolor L.] a popular leafy vegetable crop in Bangladesh, and Cd accumulation in it. Plants were harvested at 30 and 45 days after sowing [DAS]. Plant height and biomass production of shoot and root were significantly affected by Cd treatments and there was a depression of yield due to increased Cd application. Cadmium accumulation in Amaranthus and the shoot root ratio of Cd increased with increasing Cd concentrations in soil. The increase of soil contamination level led to a decrease of bioaccumulation coefficient in shoot and root at both the stages. The capacity for Cd accumulation in edible parts of Amaranthus with the absence of any visual symptoms indicates a potential danger for human consumption