Effects of lead on the content, accumulation, and translocation of nutrients in bean plant cultivated in nutritive solution

Abstract

Increasing contents of lead (Pb; from 0 to 10 mg L−1) as contaminant were added in Clark's nutritive solution to evaluate the effects on content, accumulation, and translocation of macronutrients [phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S)] and micronutrients [copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe)] in different parts of the bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Experiments were built using an entirely randomized statistical arrangement and measurements were performed after 60 days of exposure to Pb. The contents of almost all nutrients decreased when Pb was added, except for P in root, Mg in fruits, and S in root and fruits. Reduction in accumulation of all nutrients in the three parts of plants was determined, and an increase in the translocation index was observed for the following nutrients: Mg and Zn in fruits and S in fruits and leaves. For the remaining nutrients, the translocation index diminished.