Effect of high cadmium concentrations in soil on growth, uptake of nutrients and some heavy metals of Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert

The effect of high cadmium concentrations in soil (10; 20 and 30 mg.kg(-1) soil as CdCl2) on the uptake of cadmium (Cd), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) and on the selected growth parameters of two chamomile cultivars [Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert], diploid 'Novbona' and tetraploid 'Lutea' was studied. Application of Cd to the soil (30 mg.kg(-1)) resulted in a decrease of root biomass by 13 to 30 %, shoots by 12 to 15 %, height of plants by 18 to 20 % and number of anthodia per plant in diploid cultivar by 40 %. High concentration of Cd in the soil caused stronger inhibition of growth parameters in diploid cv. 'Novbona'. Addition of Cd to the soil resulted in higher Cd accumulation in all plant parts. Comparison of Cd accumulation between the two cultivars showed higher concentration values of Cd in diploid cv. 'Novbona'. No necroses were found during cultivation of plants. Addition of Cd to the soil did not affect the content of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) in roots and aerial parts in both cultivars. The only significant increase of N was detected in diploid cv. 'Novbona'. Application of Cd to the soil caused a decrease of Zn concentration in roots and shoots only in cv. 'Novbona'. The Zn content in anthodia of diploids remained stable while that in tetraploids increased with an increased Cd concentration. Contents of Pb and Cu in aerial parts and roots were not affected. However, the Cu content was very high in all analysed parts of chamomile. The Cu values in anthodia varied between 16.2 and 38.58 mug.g(-1) of dry matter.