Driving factors of molybdenum (Mo) bioconcentration in maize in the Longitudinal Range–Gorge Region of Southwestern China

Molybdenum (Mo) plays an important role in maintaining plant growth and human health. Assessment studies on the driving factors of Mo migration in soil-crop systems are crucial for ensuring optimal agricultural and human health. The Mo bioconcentration factor (BCF-Mo) is a useful tool for evaluating Mo bioavailability in soil-crop systems. However, the influence pathways and degrees of different environmental factors on BCF-Mo remain poorly understood. In this context, 109 rhizosphere and maize grain samples were collected from the Longitudinal Range–Gorge Region (LRGR) in Linshui County, Sichuan Province, China, and analyzed for the contents of Mo and other soil physiochemical parameters to explore the spatial patterns of BCF-Mo and its driving factors. Areas with the highest BCF-Mo values were mainly observed in the southern and northern parts of the Huaying and Tongluo mountains. The influence degrees of the selected environmental factors in this study followed the order of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)