Relations of fine-root morphology on (137)Cs uptake by fourteen Brassica species

J Environ Radioact. 2015 Dec:150:203-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.08.023. Epub 2015 Sep 7.

Abstract

Fourteen Brassica species consisting of seven leafy vegetables and seven root vegetables were examined for (137)Cs uptake differences in relation to their fine-root morphological characters. A pot experiment was conducted from November 2014 to February 2015 in a Phytroton using a contaminated soil of Fukushima prefecture. Leafy vegetables showed bigger root diameters, larger root surface area and larger root volume. Consequently, leafy vegetables had higher (137)Cs uptake compared to root vegetables. Among the three fine-root parameters, only root surface area was observed as a significant contributing factor to higher (137)Cs uptake in terms of transfer factor (TF, dry weight basis). Kakina exhibited higher (137)Cs TF value (0.20) followed by Chinese cabbage (0.18) and mizuna (0.17). Lower TF values were observed in turnip (0.059), rutabaga (Kitanoshou) (0.062) and radish (Ha daikon) (0.064).

Keywords: Brassica vegetables; Fine-root; Fukushima soil; Root surface area; Transfer factor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brassica / anatomy & histology*
  • Brassica / metabolism*
  • Cesium Radioisotopes / metabolism*
  • Japan
  • Plant Leaves / anatomy & histology
  • Plant Leaves / metabolism
  • Plant Roots / anatomy & histology
  • Plant Roots / metabolism
  • Radiation Monitoring
  • Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / metabolism*
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • Cesium Radioisotopes
  • Soil Pollutants, Radioactive