Influence of lead and cadmium on growth, heavy metal uptake, and nutrient concentration of three lettuce cultivars grown in hydroponic culture

The uptake of cadmium and lead by three lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivars was studied in water culture experiment. Different amounts of cadmium (Cd) and leaf (Pb) were added to the nutrient solution (0; 0.05 muM Cd; 0.5 muM Cd; 0.05 muM Ph; 0.5 muM Pb; 0.5 muM Cd together with 0.5 muM Pb). Fresh and dry matter yield of leaves and roots were significantly reduced by the presence of 0.5 muM Cd and 0.5 muM Cd together with 0.5 muM Pb. The higher the Cd or Pb concentration in solution the more Cd and Pb accumulated in the plants. Most of the accumulated heavy metals were located in the roots. The combination of Cd and Pb in the nutrient solution had an additive effect on most investigated parameters. The presence of lead alone, almost in all cases, did not effect the concentration of macro- and microelements. Cadmium in concentration 0.5 muM Cd and Cd together with Pb caused a significant increase of the Ca and Cu contents in shoot content of ph. Roxette accumulated the least Pb in the roots at 0.5 muM Pb whereas Pia the least when both Cd and ph were present in the solution.