Authors: Xiaopeng Gao Kimberley R Brown Geza J Racz Cynthia A Grant
Publish Date: 2010/08/11
Volume: 337, Issue: 1-2, Pages: 341-354
Abstract
Cadmium concentration in durum Triticum durum L grain may be influenced by fertilizer management A three year field study was conducted at two locations in southwestern Manitoba Canada to determine the effect of source timing and placement of N fertilizer on grain Cd concentration of durum wheat under reducedtillage RT and conventionaltillage CT management There was a significant yeartoyear variation in grain yield and grain Cd concentration indicating a strong effect of environment on phytoavailability of Cd Soil type also had a dominating effect on Cd in durum grain Grain Cd concentration and accumulation were always lower at the Newdale clay loam CL location than the Stockton fine sandy loam FSL location Compared to CT RT management decreased grain Cd concentration and accumulation Application of N fertilizer significantly increased grain Cd concentration and decreased grain Zn concentration The increase in grain Cd could be due to the increasing Cd concentration in soil solution the improved crop growth or a competitive interaction between Cd and Zn for binding sites in the soil system and for uptake sites in the roots following the application of N fertilizer Time source and placement of N fertilization showed inconsistent effect on grain yield and grain Cd concentration The effects when observed were minor compared to effects of year and soil type on grain Cd concentration Application of anhydrous ammonia NH3 generally resulted in higher Cd concentration in durum grain than application of same level of other N sources including urea ammonium nitrate UAN urea and ammonium nitrate AN probably due to greater N efficiency from the NH3 as compared to the other sources Where differences due to placement occurred banded application of fertilizers generally resulted in higher Cd concentration in durum grain than did dualbanded placement indicating a higher fertilizer availability Soil type year and N fertilization greatly affected concentration of Cd in durum grain Selection of a suitable source timing and placement combination of N fertilization is important in optimizing crop yield and minimizing grain Cd concentrationThe authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council NSERC of Canada Metals in the Human Environment MITHE Research Network the Fluid Fertilizer Foundation International Plant Nutrition Institute and the Program for Energy Research and Development The technical assistance of Josh Price Brian Hadley and Mike Svistovski is greatly appreciated
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