Effect of chicory and plantain on cadmium levels in lambs

摘要

Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread contaminant of soils in New Zealand due to historical use of phosphate fertilisers manufactured from rock phosphate with high levels of Cd (Loganathan et al.2003).Herb forage species are increasingly used in pastures for their high nutritive value, but they are also known to accumulate high concentrations of micronutrients and, therefore,could potentially accumulate Cd.Our objective was to examine the Cd concentration in the herbage intake and liver of lambs grazing pastures incorporating chicory ( Cichorium intybus) and plantain ( Plantago lanceolata).