Research Paper by IJAAR on Alterations in macro and micronutrient uptake

The Jambu, an herbaceous plant widely consumed in the Amazon in typical dishes and in natura, is also found in Central America, Asia, and even in Europe. Its behavior when exposed to heavy metals is unknown and, being Cd one of the most phytotoxic metals, the objective is to elucidate how Cd influences nutrient uptake by jambu. The experimental design was entirely randomized with five treatments and six repetitions, in a hydroponic culture system. Four doses of Cd (1, 3, 6 and 9mg/L), plus a control were used. At the end of the experiment, chemical analyses were performed to quantify the content of K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu in the leaf, stem, inflorescence and root. The results were submitted to ANOVA and regression analysis and show a significant increase in K, Mg and Ca, up to a dose of 6mg/L of Cd. The micronutrients Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu also showed a significant increase in the absorption, until the dose of 6mg/L. The difference in uptake ranged from 23.02% for Cu to 151.9% for Ca in relation to the uptake of the nutrients by the control plants. The dose of 9mg/L, produced an antagonistic effect, with a reduction in the uptake of the nutrients, with the exception of Ca. In general, Cd in small doses produced in the jambu a stimulant effect and in larger doses, a toxic effect. This behavior indicates a hormetic effect of jambu against Cd.