Interactions between cadmium and nutrients and their implications for safe crop production in Cd-contaminated soils

Abstract

Cadmium availability and accumulation in edible parts of plants are affected by multiple processes in the rhizosphere and plants, especially the interactions between Cd and mineral nutrients. The application of mineral nutrients in the soil could influence Cd activity through diverse processes, such as precipitation, adsorption, and competitive uptake, by sharing the same transporters/channels or chelation sites. Therefore, optimization of nutrient supply is considered an economical, efficient, and environment-friendly method for restricting Cd content in crops. In this review, the physiological and biochemical interactions between Cd and other essential elements (iron, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, manganese, silicon, and selenium) are discussed, providing theoretical support for developing nutrient management ­strategies to minimize Cd accumulation in edible parts and guarantee food safety.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Cadmium accumulation
• food safety
• iron
• nitrogen
• nutrient management
• phosphorus

Handling Editors:

• Esther Álvarez-Ayuso
• Lena Q. Ma

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41977145; 42277010), Zhejiang Province Natural Science Foundation (LY21D010005).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.