Comparative analysis of cadmium uptake and distribution in contrasting canadian flax cultivars
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RESEARCH NOTE
Comparative analysis of cadmium uptake and distribution in contrasting canadian flax cultivars Megan A. House1* , Lester W. Young1, Xia Liu2, Karsten Liber2, Axel Diederichsen3 and Helen M. Booker4*
Abstract Objective: Humans consume low quantities of cadmium (Cd), a non-nutritive and potentially toxic heavy metal, primarily via the dietary intake of grains. A trial experiment was conducted to investigate physiological and developmental differences in Cd content in four flax cultivars (‘AC Emerson’, ‘Flanders’, ‘CDC Bethune’, and ‘AC McDuff’) as part of a study to provide information that will assist in the breeding of low Cd-accumulating flax cultivars. Our objective was to identify varietal differences in the uptake and distribution of Cd in various tissues among flax cultivars grown in naturally Cd-containing soil in a controlled environment. Results: Cadmium concentration was dependent on genotype, developmental stage, and tissue type, as well as their interaction. Cadmium concentration was higher in roots and leaves, relative to all other tissues, with a general trend of decreasing Cd content over time within leaves and stems. Notably, the concentration of Cd was higher in ‘AC Emerson’ relative to ‘AC McDuff’ across tissues and ages, including the seeds, while the concentration of ‘Flanders’ was higher than in ‘AC McDuff’ in seeds and other reproductive organs but similar in roots and leaves. The results suggest varietal differences in the mechanisms that determine Cd content in seeds. Keywords: Flax, Breeding, Cadmium, Heavy metal, Development, Uptake, Translocation Introduction Cadmium (Cd), a heavy, non-nutritive, and potentially toxic metal, is found naturally in the environment at low levels, although anthropogenic activities have resulted in substantially higher levels in the soil [1]. Soil-borne Cd is not a direct concern for human health, however, foodborne Cd is the major route of exposure for most people [2]. Cadmium is readily taken up by plants through their roots and some crops may accumulate high levels of Cd in their seeds [3, 4].
*Correspondence: [email protected]; [email protected] 1 Department of Plant Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada 4 Department of Plant Agriculture, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
There are currently no recommendations for acceptable levels of Cd in flaxseed, however, the recommended weekly maximum dietary intake set out by the European Food Safety Authority is 2.5 µg of Cd per kg of body weight [5]. The concentration of Cd in flaxseed may influence food processor and consumer choices, particularly in the health food sector. To improve marketability and healthfulness of Canadian flaxseed, breeding of Canadian flax cultivars will include selection for low Cd-accumulating genotypes. The efficiency with which Cd uptake occurs, and where
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