Physiological responses to cesium and strontium in Triticum durum and Triticum aestivum grown in Moroccan soil.

Abstract

This study investigates the uptake, translocation, and physiological effects of cesium (Cs) and strontium (Sr) on Triticum durum (Nachit) and Triticum aestivum (Ibtissam) grown in Moroccan soil. Controlled experiments quantified Cs and Sr concentrations in root and shoot tissues and assessed their effects on growth, chlorophyll content, biomass, and transfer factors. Results showed distinct uptake patterns between species, with T. durum exhibiting greater tolerance to Cs and Sr stress than T. aestivum. Increasing Cs and Sr concentrations significantly reduced growth. In T. aestivum, shoot length declined by 44% and root length by 52% at 1000 ppm Cs. Leaf number and chlorophyll content, measured as SPAD values, dropped by 35%. Fresh and dry biomass of both species declined by about 55%, with T. aestivum showing higher sensitivity. Transfer factor analysis (TF) indicated greater Cs and Sr accumulation in roots than shoots. Notably, the Sr TF in T. durum roots reached 0.6 at 100 ppm, suggesting enhanced uptake efficiency. These findings improve understanding of Cs and Sr behavior in wheat, highlight species-specific stress responses, and provide valuable data for managing contamination in agricultural systems.