Selective retention of cadmium and lead in different parts of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Abstract

To assess the selective retention of cadmium in chilli (Capsicum emnituin L.). a pot culture experiment was conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Trichur during kharif 1996. Cadmium and lead were supplied through water soluble salts viz. CdQ2 and Pb(NO3)2 respectively. Requirements of N, P and K were met through chemically pure sources of urea, KH2PO4 and KC1. It was observed that in general, shoot portion of chilli plant maintained highest cadmium uptake followed by root and least uptake of cadmium was noted in fruit portion. This indicated a more selective retention of cadmium in the shoot portion. Similarly, in the same study, it was noted that lead was more selectively retained in the root portion than the other parts of the plant. Application of organic matter in conjunction with heavy dose of these heavy metals to soil resulted in the enhanced uptake of cadmium and lead in all the plant parts analyzed.