Accurate derivation and modelling of criteria of soil extractable and total cadmium for safe wheat production

It is significant to establish an accurate model to predict cadmium (Cd) criteria for safe wheat production. More importantly, for better evaluation of the risk of Cd pollution in high natural background areas, the soil extractable Cd criteria are needed. In the present study, the soil total Cd criteria were derived using the method of cultivars sensitivity distribution integrated with soil aging and bioavailability as affected by soil properties. Firstly, the dataset that meet the requirements was established. Dataset from thirty-five wheat cultivars planted in different soils published in literature of five bibliographic databases were screened using designated search strings. Then, the empirical soil-plant transfer model was used to normalize the bioaccumulation data. After-wards, the soil Cd concentration for protecting 95 % (HC5) of the species was calculated from species sensitivity distribution curves, and the derived soil criteria were obtained from HC5 prediction models that based on pH. The process of derivation for soil EDTA-extractable Cd criteria was the same way as the soil total Cd criteria. Soil total Cd criteria ranged from 0.25 to 0.60 mg/kg and soil EDTA-extractable Cd criteria ranged from 0.12 to 0.30 mg/kg. Both the criteria of soil total Cd and soil EDTA-extractable Cd were further validated to be reliable using data from field experiments. The results suggested that the criteria of soil total Cd and soil EDTA-extractable Cd in the study can ensure the safety of Cd in wheat grains and thereby enable local agricultural practitioners to develop appropriate management for croplands.

Automated summary

It is important to establish an accurate model to predict safe wheat production criteria for cadmium (Cd), especially in areas with high natural background Cd pollution risk. In this study, soil total Cd criteria were derived using a method that integrated cultivars sensitivity distribution, soil aging, and bioavailability affected by soil properties. The soil EDTA-extractable Cd criteria were derived in the same way. Both criteria were validated using field experiment data, indicating their reliability in ensuring the safety of Cd in wheat grains and enabling appropriate agricultural management for croplands.