Cadmium uptake by lettuce in different soils

In the last years, special attention is being given to problems causing health hazards, e.g. heavy metals. Cadmium (Cd) pollution of the environment has been rapidly increasing in recent decades as a results of the rising use of Cd by industry. Cadmium has no essential biological function and is highly toxic to plants and animals. The major hazard to human health from Cd is its chronic accumulation in the kidneys. Food is the main route by which Cd enters the body. Pot experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions to study the effects of increasing Cd levels on the biomass production and the uptake of Cd by lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Plants were grown in two soil types: an Eutric cambisol soil and a Gleyic luvisol soil. Biomass production of lettuce decreased as affected by Cd treatments, Cadmium concentration of leaves increased in both soils as the result of Cd treatment From the results it was evident that lettuce was able to accumulate Cd.