Rhizosphere cadmium speciation and mechanisms of cadmium tolerance in different oilseed rape species

The role of rhizosphere processes in cadmium (Cd) uptake by plants and mechanisms of Cd tolerance is unexplored and a matter of debate. Pot experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions to investigate rhizosphere Cd speciation and mechanisms of Cd tolerance in different oilseed rape (Brassica juncea L. and Brassica napus L.) species using a sequential extraction technique. A Cd-tolerant oilseed rape, Xikou Huazi, a non-tolerant oilseed rape, Zhongyou 821, and an Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) were used in the study. The results showed that three predominant forms of Cd in the plants were NaCl-extractable Cd, acetic acid-extractable Cd, and water-extractable Cd. The concentration of water-extractable Cd in Xikou Huazi was significantly lower than in Zhongyou 821. A significant depletion of exchangeable Cd was observed in the rhizosphere soil of oilseed rapes Xikou Huazi and Zhongyou 821, as well as Indian mustard. At 60 mg kg-1 of soil Cd concentration, the concentrations of carbonate-bound and organically bound Cd in the rhizosphere soil of Xikou Huazi were significantly higher than in the non-rhizosphere soil. The concentrations of these two Cd speciations were higher in the rhizosphere soil of Xikou Huazi than in the rhizosphere soil of Zhongyou 821. However, for Zhongyou 821, there were no significant differences in the concentrations of these two Cd speciations between the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere at 30 and 60 mg kg-1 of soil Cd concentrations. A significant difference existed in rhizosphere Cd speciations and Cd forms in the plants between Cd-tolerant oilseed rape and non-tolerant oilseed rape. This difference was the main reason that Cd-tolerant oilseed rapes take up and accumulate Cd.