Comparative effects of rootstock and scion on dieldrin and endrin uptake by grafted cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

Abstract

We examined the effect of grafting on dieldrin and endrin uptake from soil into cucumber plants. We compared the concentrations of dieldrin and endrin in aerial tissues of 10 varieties of Cucurbita spp. and 23 varieties of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) grown in a drin-contaminated soil. We chose four varieties each of Cucurbita spp. and cucumber, made up of 16 combinations of grafted plants by combining the Cucurbita spp. as rootstocks and the cucumber as scions, and then compared the dieldrin and endrin concentrations in the aerial tissues of the grafted plants. The results of our grafting trials indicated that dieldrin and endrin concentrations in the grafted plants were influenced mainly by rootstock varieties.