Influence of rootstock on the content of heavy metals, micro- and macro-elements on peach fruit

Heavy metals are among the most hazardous substances present in the environment NDASH their presence in soil results in contamination of plants and, consequently, food.
Consumption of contaminated food (fruits and vegetables) is the primary cause of toxic metals transfer into the human body.
Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are among the most toxic heavy metals and cause serious health problems in humans.
Peaches are one of the most preferred seasonal fruits and a reliable source of nutrients.
The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of rootstock on the content of heavy metals, micro, and macro elements in the fruits of peach.
The study was conducted in Brestnik village, situated at a 3.5 km distance from the source of pollution – the Non-Ferrous Metal Works near Plovdiv, Bulgaria. ‘Redhaven’ peach was budded on the rootstocks ‘GF 677’ and ‘Garnem’ (‘GxN15’). Preliminary washed with water, the fruits were then analyzed for the content of heavy metals, micro, and macro elements.
Statistical analyses showed significant differences in the metal contents of the fruits.
The results showed that the concentration of Pb in soils exceeded the standard limit approved for Bulgaria, while Cd concentration in the soil was within a safe limit.
The content of heavy metals, micro and macro elements in the fruits was different for each rootstock.
Peach fruits tested negative for the presence of Cd, whereas Pb levels were higher than the maximum permissible concentration.
The effect of rootstocks on the accumulation of micro and macro elements (K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn) was significant.
The results showed that the rootstock strongly affected the fruit element uptake on peach.

X International Peach Symposium

V.R. Angelova, S.G. Tabakov, A.I. Yordanov

lead, cadmium, nutrients, rootstock combination, Prunus persica

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1352.72