Effect of cadmium on growth and the uptake of cadmium and other elements by durum wheat

Abstract
A solution culture study was conducted to determine the effects of cadmium (Cd) application on the uptake of Cd, potassium (K), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and on the growth of seedlings of three wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var Durum) cultivars, Kyle, Nile, and SC84–994. Cadmium application decreased shoot and root biomass, root length, and leaf area. Cadmium application did not produce any differences among cultivars in these growth parameters. There were differential cultivar responses in the uptake of Cd and K but not for Zn, Mn, Cu, and Fe uptake. A solution Cd concentration of 0.1 μM did not affect the concentration of Cd and K compared to zero Cd but at and above 0.5 μM Cd, Nile had a higher concentration and contents of Cd and K in root and shoot than SC84–994 and Kyle. Kyle and SC84–994 were not different in any of the elements tested except K concentration in shoot where the order was SC84–994c)] was applied to explain the effect of Cd on plant growth parameters and on the uptake of K, Mn, Zn, and Cu in plants.