Determination of Heavy Metals in Root and Shoot of Durum Wheat, Plant Soil: Translocation and Bioaccumulation Factor

Abstract

Heavy metals are uptake by the soil, transfer and accumulate in the various parts of durum wheat plant. The exposure of wheat crops to heavy metals poses threat to their physiological growth and human health through consumption. The study aimed at finding the concentration of heavy metals in durum wheat varieties, transfer and bioaccumulation ability, and effect of organic and conventional farming on heavy metals. The wheat samples (under organic and conventional farming) were randomly sampled at tillering, jointing, and grain filling stage. They were digested with ultra-microwave and analyzed with inductively coupled plasma. The results showed that Zn emerged as the highest concentration in the soil, root, and shoot of all wheat samples and mostly followed by Cr, Cu, Pb, and Cd. With few instances, an order of Cu>Zn>Cd>Cr>Pb>As translocation and accumulation was observed. Statistical study (α .05 and CI of 95%) revealed conventional farming increased heavy metals in the soil. Therefore, organic farming should be adopted to prevent heavy metal contamination of wheat plants and higher food chain.