Lettuce (Lactuca sativa): a species with a high capacity for cadmium (Cd) accumulation and growth stimulation in the presence of low Cd concentrations

Cadmium (Cd) is a metal pollutant that accumulates in cultivated soils and has detrimental consequences in terms of food safety. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) can be characterised as having a high capacity to accumulate Cd in its tissues. An analysis of Cd tolerance and Cd accumulation was carried out using two varieties of lettuce ('Divina' and 'Melina'). A wide range of CdCl2 concentrations was used (0.0, 0.1, 0.6, 3.0, and 15.0 mu M CdCl2). The lowest concentration (0.1 mu M CdCl2) stimulated growth, while the two highest concentrations resulted in a reduction in biomass. Cadmium concentrations were found to be twice as high in roots as in shoots. 'Divina' displayed lower concentrations of Cd than 'Melina' in nearly all treatments. A strong negative correlation was observed between Cd concentration and Cd tolerance in the roots and shoots (R-2 > 0.87) of both 'Melina' and 'Divina'. Lettuce grown in the presence of 15.0 mu M CdCl2 had leaf Cd concentrations that were 100-fold higher than the legal maximum level for vegetable products marketed for human consumption, but showed no symptoms of dehydration, chlorosis, or necrosis. This result represents an important alert for lettuce consumers and growers.