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Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Vegetable Crops

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Abstract

Based on extensive material, approaches to assessing the risk of accumulation of heavy metals (HM) in vegetable crops grown in open and protected ground, including in hydroponic conditions, are considered. Agrochemical, biochemical, biogeochemical, and sanitary-hygienic aspects of the accumulation of these metals in vegetable products are shown. It is estimated that, in comparison with organic fertilizers, mineral fertilizers play a purely subordinate role as a source of HM for vegetable crops. The situation becomes more complicated when growing these crops in hydroponic conditions, since it is possible to accumulate harmful elements in the commercial part of the product due to the constant contact of plant roots with a nutrient solution containing micro-admixtures of HM. It is shown that the risk of accumulation of HM in vegetable crops can be managed with the help of various strains of microorganisms introduced into the rhizosphere, which contribute both to the immobilization of these metals in the soil or nutrient solution and prevent their entry into the marketable part of vegetable products.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems of Soil Science, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290, Pushchino, Russia

    V. N. Bashkin

  2. Institute of Fundamental Problems of Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290, Pushchino, Russia

    R. A. Galiulina

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  1. V. N. Bashkin
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Correspondence to V. N. Bashkin.

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Translated by P. Kuchina

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Bashkin, V.N., Galiulina, R.A. Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Vegetable Crops. Russ. Agricult. Sci. 48 (Suppl 1), S164–S173 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068367422070035

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