Variations in Cd and Pb Accumulations of Hot Pepper {Capsicum annuum L.) Cultivars for Screening Pollution- and Nitrate-Safe Cultivars

摘要

Screening pollution-safe cultivars has become one of the most direct and cost-effective methods for reducing metals entering the food chain. The aims of this study were to screen low Cd and Pb hot pepper cultivars and clarify the mechanisms of low Cd and Pb accumulation in fruits. In this study, we found that fruit Cd and Pb concentrations were significantly different (p0.05) among cultivars and were also significantly (p0.05) affected by Cd and Pb levels. Meanwhile, fruit Cd and Pb concentrations are significantly positively correlated with both the shoot Cd and Pb concentrations and the translocation factors. Nevertheless, there were no significant (p0.05) correlations between the fruit Cd and Pb concentrations and the root Cd and Pb concentrations. Two hot pepper cultivars, Nos. 8 (Youma) and 11 (Xianglaerjintiao), were identified as low Cd and Pb cultivars. The nitrate content of No. 11 (Xianglaerjintiao) exceeded 440 mg.kg(-1) FW in T2 treatment, thus the No. 8 (Youma) can be grown to increase agricultural food safety compared to the No. 11 (Xianglaerjintiao). Therefore, the No. 8 (Youma) is suitable to be planted in low Cd- and Pb-contaminated soils for screening pollution-safe cultivars.