Preliminary Assessment of Soybean Seedlings for Beryllium Accumulation

Abstract

A hydroponic study was conducted to determine the uptake of Beryllium (Be) by soybean [Glycine max (L.) Var. Perron] seedlings and its effect on biomass and nutrient accumulation in roots and shoots. Three‐weeks old soybean plants previously grown on perlite for 2 weeks and additional seven days on “Hoagland” nutrient solution without Be supply were transferred to solutions containing either 0, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, 16.0, and 32.0 mg Be L⁻¹ in the nutrient solution and grown for additional 33 days. Results of this study showed that Be accumulated in roots to a greater extent than in shoots. Increased concentration of Be added to the nutrient solution drastically altered the concentration of certain nutrients in soybean plants. Concentrations of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in shoot tissues of Be treated plants were decreased where as phosphorus (P) concentrations in shoots were increased.

^#Contribution of the Department of Biology and Life Sciences, Savannah State University, P.O. Box 20600, Savannah, GA 31404, USA.

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by contract DOE 10‐31‐6‐08‐337‐263 between the U.S. Department of Energy and the Savannah State University.

Notes

^#Contribution of the Department of Biology and Life Sciences, Savannah State University, P.O. Box 20600, Savannah, GA 31404, USA.