engleski

Cadmium Uptake by Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) in Saline Environment

The major route of exposure of humans to the toxic element cadmium (Cd) is via the consumption of vegetables grown on Cd-contaminated soil. Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) is an important horticultural crop widely cultivated in semiarid regions of the world, including the Neretva River Valley (south-eastern Croatia). Estuarine sediments are frequently enriched in contaminants transported from land ; the main source of contaminants for the estuary of the Neretva River is the industry in the upper part of the catchment. The lower part is an intensive agricultural region, producing mostly vegetables and fruits. Furthermore, salinity is a raising problem in the Neretva estuary. The objective of the study was to investigate the influence of increased salinity on uptake of Cd by muskmelon. Plants were grown in a peat substrate using drip fertigation. Four salinity treatments were tested ; NaCl was added to the standard nutrient solution at 0, 20, 40 and 60 mM, gaving the final EC of about 2.5, 4, 6 and 8 dS/m. The peat substrate was spiked with Cd at 5 and 10 mg kg-1. Salinity treatments reduced the muskmelon yield up to 50% as compared to the control. Elevated salinity significantly increased Cd concentrations in leaves, but there was no significant influence of NaCl concentrations on Cd accumulation in melon fruits. Increasing the substrate Cd content, however, increased Cd concentration in all investigated tissues (leaves, peal and pulp), but did not affect the melon yield. In conclusion, the potential of Cd to enter food chain through muskmelon is not increased by salinity.

toxic element; salinity; horticulture; food chain

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