HEAVY METALS ACCUMULATION AND DISTRIBUTION IN WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) GENOTYPES GROWN IN CADMIUM-CONTAMINATED SOIL

A field investigation was carried out to study the uptake and distribution of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) metals in ten wheat genotypes growing in cadmium (Cd) contaminated soil.Herein, the content of these metals was evaluated in the root, shoot, and grain of the ten wheat genotypes using atomic absorption spectrophotometry.The results revealed that wheat genotypes showed varied responses to Cd stress, which reflected in the uptake and translocation of Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn.Cadmium stress reduced the translocation of Cu (0.54%), Fe (0.37%), and Mn (0.11%) to grains, while Zn content increased by 0.23%.The prominent effect of Cd was on the Fe content in all plant parts (0.10, 0.11, and 0.37%) for the root, shoot, and grain, respectively.Low Cd-accumulating genotypes such as Iraq, Al-Diar, and G-4 are recommended to minimize the translocation of pollutants to the grain.These findings indicate that Cd-contaminated soil can be exploited to grow wheat after applying essential elements, e.g., Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn.Further investigations focusing on other types of heavy metals and micronutrients in a wide range of wheat genotypes are recommended in order to support food security and exploit polluted environments.