Control of chromium concentrations in food plants. 1. Absorption and translocation of chromium by plants

Plants accumulated Cr from nutrient solutions but retained most of this Cr in the roots. The barrier to translocation of Cr from roots to tops of plants was not circumvented by supplying /sup 51/Cr in the form of organic acid complexes, Cr(III), Cr(VI), or by increasing the Cr(III) concentration in the nutrient solutions. Plants, or plant tissues, that tend to accumulate Fe also accumulate Cr. Attempts to increase the Cr concentration in certain leafy vegetables seem more promising than attempts to increase Cr in edible seed crops. Chromium concentration in some leafy vegetables grown with a continued supply of soluble Cr may be tenfold greater than those found in surveys of Cr in foods. 16 references, 3 figures, 4 tables.