ISHS Acta Horticulturae 481: International Symposium on Growing Media and Hydroponics
HEAVY METAL ACCUMULATION IN BEANS AND ITS IMPACT ON GROWTH AND YIELD UNDER SOILLESS CULTURE |
| Authors: | P.G. Sánchez, L.P. Fernández, L.T. Trejo, G.G. Alcántar, J.D. Cruz |
| Keywords: | Phaseolus vulgaris, uptake, dry weight, heavy metals |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.1999.481.73 |
| Abstract:
A pot experiment was carried out using the Steiner nutrient solution with bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Pinto). Three heavy metal concentrations were studied along with a control. Dry weight of bean plants decreased significantly with increasing concentration of heavy metals in the external solution. Dry weight of plants grown with high concentrations of heavy metals was 49.5% less than that of the control plants. Iron, Mn, Zn, Cd and Ni concentrations in the leaves, stems and roots were directly proportional to the external concentration. In all treatments, at harvest, roots contained the greatest accumulation of heavy metals. Following considerable amounts of uptake, heavy metal ions appeared transported to flowers and/or seeds, a phenomenon that may be hazardous to human health. | |
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