Effects of growing seasons and genotypes on the accumulation of Cd in Brassica chinensis

Abstract Pot experiments were conducted to investigate the seasonal and genetic variations of Cd accumulation among 18 pakchoi cultivars (Brassica chinensis). The relationship between Cd accumulation and the transpiration rate was investigated as well through hydroponic experiment. Cd concentrations in the edible parts of pakchoi grown in summer (0.33–1.61 mg·kg−1) were about 1.1–1.7 times higher than those in spring (0.25–0.96 mg·kg−1), and the uptake of Cd in both seasons differed markedly among cultivars. Positive correlation was observed between the transpiration rate and Cd concentration in the edible parts of 12 pakchoi cultivars grown in nutrient solution. Pakchoi planting in summer led to a higher accumulation of Cd in the edible parts than growing in spring.