ACCUMULATION OF CADMIUM, LEAD AND MERCURY IN SEEDLINGS OF SELECTED SUGAR BEET VARIETIES AS A RESULT OF SIMULATED SOIL CONTAMINATION

Abstract

The article presents the findings of a study designed to compare accumulation of cadmium, lead and mercury in seedlings of selected sugar beet varieties, as a result of simulated soil contamination. The analyses included seedlings of eight sugar beet varieties: Alegra C, Delano C, Milton C, Primadonna, Silvetta C, Finezja C, Agnieszka, Janosik, which in the course of growth were fortified with heavy metals. The acquired results were used to calculate Bioconcentration Factors (BCF) and to compare the contents of heavy metals in the examined plants. The greatest capacity to absorb the relevant heavy metals from the soil was found in seedlings of Milton C and Silvetta C varieties for cadmium and lead, and in Silvetta C and Finezja C varieties for mercury. It was determined that in the entire group of plants, the seedlings of Agnieszka and Janosik verities were least susceptible to bioaccumulation of cadmium and lead, while Primadonna variety had the lowest susceptibility to mercury.