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Hydroponics: A Versatile System to Study Nutrient Allocation and Plant Responses to Nutrient Availability and Exposure to Toxic Elements
Published on: July 13, 2016
Elemental distribution and uptake by watercress (Nasturtium aquaticum) as a function of water quality
Kimona Kisten1, Denisha Gounden, Roshila Moodley
1a School of Chemistry and Physics , University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) , Durban , South Africa.
Abstract:
Watercress (Nasturtium aquaticum), is an edible plant commonly found in Southern Africa, which grows both in terrestrial and aquatic environments. The elemental concentrations in the plant and surrounding water (growth solution) were investigated to determine the plants nutritional value and to establish impact of water quality on elemental uptake by the plant. The concentrations in the leaves, roots and water were analyzed at eight different sites along the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (30.0000° S, 25.0000° E). Elemental concentrations in the leaves/roots (μg g(-1), dry mass) and water exchangeable/total (μg L(-1)) at Verulam (situated in the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal) were: As (1.2/7.5 and 0.053/0.09), Ca (18272/26091 and 0.336/7.15), Cd (0.9/0.8 and 0.004/0.01), Co (37.2/34 and 0/0), Cr (7/35 and 0.003/0.03), Cu (3/19 and 0.016/0.16), Fe (528/4308 and 0.375/0.6), Mg (3444/1141 and 6.4/7), Mn (110/667 and 0/0), Ni (20/63 and 0/0.01), Pb (16/17 and 0.01/0.02), Se (28/11 and 0.003/0.01) and Zn (102/116 and 0.099/0.36). Elemental uptake was controlled by the plant but water quality did have an impact on uptake. Concentrations of metals in the leaves were in decreasing order of Ca > Mg > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Pb > Se > Cd > As > Co. The watercress plant was found to be a rich source of essential elements especially Fe and Cr and contained low concentrations of the toxic metals investigated thereby making it safe for human consumption.
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