Uptake and translocation of 109Cd and stable Cd within tobacco plants (Nicotiana sylvestris).

The availability, uptake, and translocation of recently added ((109)Cd) and naturally occurring (stable) soil Cd within tobacco plants were compared. (109)Cd was added to soil in two treatments, A (0.25 MBq kg soil(-1) DW) and B (eight-fold dose): stable Cd was measured in both treatments. Both the added and the stable Cd were higher in leaves and reproductive structures of the plant than in stalks and roots. The uptake of (109)Cd was 5.3 kBq plant(-1) for treatment A and 36.7 kBq plant(-1) for treatment B, and about 26 μg plant(-1) for stable Cd. Leaves of the tobacco plants accumulated 40-45% of the total (109)Cd and about 50% of total stable Cd taken up by the plant. Cadmium concentration in the plant was three times higher than in roots and two times higher than the concentration in soil: the concentration in roots was lower than in the soil.