Does Transpiration Explain Differential Cadmium Accumulation in Durum Wheat?
Hale, Beverley1, Van der Vliet, Leana*,1, 1 University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada ABSTRACT- Cadmium accumulation in two durum wheat cultivars, Arcola (lower Cd grain accumulator) and Kyle (higher Cd grain accumulator), differs. Previous research has shown that root Cd concentrations of Arcola were significantly higher than those of Kyle, yet Arcola shoot Cd concentration was less than that of Kyle. Studies investigating the role of transpiration in shoot Cd accumulation in different species have provided equivocal results. The objective of this study was to characterize transpiration in Arcola and Kyle at different life stages, and confirm the Cd accumulation patterns. Plants were grown hydroponically, and the weight difference method was used to measure transpiration rates. Plants were exposed to 0 ppb Cd or 10 ppb Cd throughout their lifecycle, and tested at the tillering, heading and grain fill stages. The effects of Cd on transpiration rates for each cultivar were determine
