In vitro-cultured wheat spikes provide a simplified alternative for studies of cadmium uptake in developing grains.

Background: An immature wheat spike culture system was used to monitor cadmium (Cd) accumulation in grains, hulls and awns of bread wheat and durum wheat. Immature spikes were cultured prior to anthesis in a medium containing 50 g L(-1) sucrose and 0.4 g L(-1) L-glutamine, supplemented with 0, 0.