A multi‐indicator evaluation of cadmium tolerance in wheat seedlings identifies low‐accumulating cultivars for contaminated areas

Abstract BACKGROUND The Huang‐Huai region is a major wheat‐producing area in China, contributing significantly to national food security. However, cadmium (Cd) contamination in local soils threatens both crop productivity and human health through food chain transfer. Selecting wheat cultivars with low Cd accumulation is a cost‐effective strategy, yet a rapid screening protocol for Cd tolerance at the seedling stage remains lacking. RESULTS This study aimed to establish a comprehensive evaluation system based on seedling growth traits and screen wheat cultivars suitable for Cd‐contaminated farmlands in the Huang‐Huai region. Seven widely cultivated wheat cultivars were hydroponically grown under Cd0 (0 mg L –1 Cd) and Cd5 (5 mg L –1 Cd) levels. Compared with Cd0, Cd5 significantly reduced seed vigor index (18.3–30.2%), primary root length (25.5–57.1%), shoot length (17.6–31.4%), root dry weight (27.8–57.4%), shoot dry weight (4.2–23.2%) and root morphological parameters. Large genotypic variations in the Cd tolerance index were observed across 12 traits. Using a technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) with entropy weight (EW), the comprehensive Cd tolerance ranking was: Zhengmai 366 > Zhoumai 36 > Zhoumai 32 > Bainong 4199 > Bainong 607 > Bainong 207 > Zhengmai 1860. The top‐ranked Zhengmai 366 and Zhoumai 36 exhibited lower shoot Cd concentrations (11.2 and 12.5 mg kg –1 , respectively) and reduced Cd translocation factors (0.19 and 0.21). CONCLUSION The TOPSIS with EW ranking confirmed Zhengmai 366 and Zhoumai 36 as the most suitable cultivars for Cd‐contaminated areas. This study provides a reliable multi‐indicator evaluation framework and practical cultivar recommendations to alleviate Cd toxicity in wheat grown in the Huang‐Huai region. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.