Bioenvironmental Trace Elements in Warm Climatic Plant, Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan)

Bioenvironmental trace elements play a vital role in plant, animal, and man metabolism. This study aims to determine trace element concentration in different parts (pods, pericarp, seeds, cotyledon, and taste) of the warm climate plant pigeon pea (Cajanus cajanL. Millsp.). The pigeon pea pods were collected from the farms on the shore of the High Dam Lake, Egypt. Elements (Ag, Au, Co, Cr, Sr, Fe, Cu, Ni, Mn, and Zn) in the pods and its different parts were determined by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis (cluster, Pearson correlation coefficient, and factor analysis) was applied to trace elements in different parts of pigeon pea. The results reveal that seeds exhibited the highest concentrations of Cu, Ni, Cr, and Zn, while Ag, Co, Pb, and Fe in the pods. Factor and cluster analyses explain a good relationship among the trace elements in pigeon pea. Also, transfer factor of the elements between plant and soil shows that the high transfer factor of most elements was observed for pods and pericarp. The studied elements in the pods and its different parts were in the safety baseline levels for both man and animal uses.

Automated summary

The study aimed to determine trace element concentrations in different parts of the pigeon pea plant and found that seeds had the highest levels of Cu, Ni, Cr, and Zn, while pods had the highest levels of Ag, Co, Pb, and Fe. Factor and cluster analyses showed a good relationship among the trace elements in pigeon pea, with most elements having high transfer factors in pods and pericarp. The elements studied were found to be within safe baseline levels for both human and animal uses.