Genotypic variation in cadmium uptake and accumulation among fine-aroma cacao genotypes from northern Peru: a model hydroponic culture study

ABSTRACT

The regulation established by the European Union regarding cadmium (Cd) is hindering the global trade of cocoa and cocoa products. The objective was to investigate the variation in Cd uptake and accumulation in plants of five genotypes of ‘fine-aroma’ cocoa grown under hydroponic conditions with the addition of 20 µmol of CdCl₂. Our results showed that Cd uptake, translocation, and accumulation at leaf and root tissue levels varied significantly among genotypes. Cd accumulation in the root system was manifested after 24 h of cultivation exposed to Cd, with concentrations ranging from 72.40 mg kg⁻¹ and 112.24 mg kg⁻¹. Polynomial analysis showed a clear relationship between Cd accumulation and plant exposure time. It was observed the INDES 38 genotype is the most promising for future breeding programs because despite high Cd accumulation in its roots (156.75 ± 0.90 mg kg⁻¹), the amount of metal transferred to leaves was low.

KEYWORDS:

• Biodiversity
• foodchain
• genotypic variation
• mitigation strategies
• Theobroma cacao

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The research has received financial support from the SNIP project (312252)/CUI (2252878) “Creación del Servicio de un Laboratorio de Fisiología y Biotecnología Vegetal de la Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas” (Creation of a Plant Physiology and Biotechnology Laboratory Service of the National University Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas), and the project “High-Altitude Agriculture: Sustainable Crop Production Under Platic Tunnels in the Andes”, contract N° 100K-CAFSMPRPE-9, funded by PARTNERS OF THE AMERICAS of the Program The 100,000 STRONG in the Americas, executed by the Research Institute for the Sustainable Development of Ceja de Selva.