The effects of iron and manganese on cadmium uptake of sunflower and corn in hydroponic condition

Heavy metals uptake and their distribution in plants are different. In addition to the genetic factors, environmental factors such as interactions of heavy metals with essential elements are very important on the amount of heavy metals uptake. In this study, the effects of iron and manganese on accumulation of cadmium in shoot and root of sunflower and corn in different concentration of those elements in a hydroponic condition was investigated. The results showed that cadmium uptake in root and shoot of sunflower were higher significantly compared to corn. The concentration of cadmium decreased in the shoot of sunflower and corn with increasing the iron availability. Cadmium concentration of corn root was not affected by iron availability but cadmium concentration in sunflower root was reduced dramatically. Manganese availability had less effect on cadmium accumulation of root and shoot of both plants. Cadmium concentration of root and shoot of sunflower increased by manganese availability but it was different in corn plant.