Natural radioactivity in winter wheat from organic and conventional agricultural systems

The distribution of natural radionuclides was studied in winter wheat plants collected from three sites in Belgium during 2004–2007. Activity concentrations of 40K, 226Ra, 228Ra and 228Th in organically and conventionally grown wheat, and in the corresponding soil samples, were determined using ultra low-level gamma-ray spectrometry. The observed soil-to-wheat concentration ratios were calculated for the different parts of the wheat plant (root, stem and grain) in the two agricultural systems (organic and conventional). There were large variations in radionuclide activity concentrations between the sites and fields, but no significant difference between conventionally and organically grown wheat plants was observed. [Display omitted] ► Winter wheat was cultivated using both organic and conventional farming. ► No difference in radioactivity in wheat between the two systems could be detected. ► Data on the uptake of radionuclides in different parts of the plant are presented.