Soil pH influence on cadmium uptake by tobacco in high cadmium exposure

Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential toxic element, which is highly accumulated by tobacco leaves and is transferred to tobacco smoke thus contributing substantially to the permitted level of Cd intake by humans. Therefore, measures to reduce Cd accumulation by tobacco are of significant importance. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of soil liming on Cd uptake by tobacco plants in high Cd exposure. A pot experiment was conducted with Nicotiana tabacuw L. Samsun 53 on an acid Typic Haploxeralf amended with refuse sugarbeet lime to obtain a pH range from 5.3 to 7.0 and contaminated with 20 mg kg(-1) Cd applied as CdCl2. Tobacco was grown in pots for three months under natural conditions, harvested in four cuts and Cd uptake by leaves was estimated. In soil samples selected, pH, Cd extracted by DTPA method, and Cd fractions such as exchangeable, organically bound, carbonate and residual were determined. The results showed that Cd uptake influenced negatively tobacco yield. Soil liming decreased Cd uptake by tobacco plants. The DTPA method was not a good indicator for Cd availability in tobacco. A very strong relationship was recorded between exchangeable Cd and total Cd uptake showing that this Cd fraction is available to tobacco plants. Soil pH was correlated strongly in a negative way with this Cd fraction suggesting that this soil factor is very important in controlling Cd accumulation by tobacco.