Uptake of Cadmium by Soybeans as Influenced by Soil Cation Exchange Capacity, pH, and Available Phosphorus

Abstract

Abstract The accumulation of cadmium (Cd) and its affect on vegetative growth of soybeans ( Glycine max [L.] Merr. var. Amsoy) in soils with a range in cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH, and available phosphorus (P) were investigated in greenhouse experiments. Cadmium uptake decreased as soil pH and CEC increased, while increasing available soil P was related to increased Cd accumulation. Cadmium extracted from the soil by Bray P 1 reagent, Bray P 2 reagent, 2 N MgCl 2 , and 0.1 N EDTA was significantly correlated with plant Cd concentrations. The growth of the soybean shoots was generally depressed when tissue concentrations reached 3–5 µ g Cd/g dry weight. Cadmium uptake by soybeans was correlated with the ratio of added Cd to the Cd sorptive capacity of soil.