Uptake of different forms of antimony by wheat and rye seedlings.

Purpose: The objectives of the research were to study how antimony (Sb) chemical form present in the growth medium can affect Sb uptake by plants and estimate effects of Sb on wheat and rye seedlings, in particular, assess variations in concentrations of nutrients resulting from bioaccumulation of Sb.

Methods: Seedlings were (1) germinated in media spiked with Sb(III) or Sb(V) and then transferred to clean water, and (2) germinated in Sb-free medium and then grown in water enriched with Sb. Variations of Sb concentrations in the seedlings were studied, and effects of Sb bioaccumulation on plant development and concentrations of macro- and trace elements in the plants were assessed.

Results: Rye was capable of accumulating more Sb than wheat. This resulted in necrosis of the rye leaves. During germination in Sb-rich medium rye and wheat accumulated Sb differently. When the seedlings germinated in Sb-amended medium were then grown in clean water, Sb concentration in all plant parts decreased. Plant concentrations of Sb increased significantly when seedlings germinated in Sb-free medium were transferred to Sb-spiked water. However, with time saturation with Sb in the plants was observed. The bioaccumulation of Sb led to significant variations in concentrations of various elements in different plant parts.

Conclusions: Wheat and rye seedlings were capable of identifying different Sb forms and demonstrated certain differences in the ability to uptake Sb and survive under high external Sb concentrations. An increase of Sb in the plants caused important variations in the concentrations of many essential nutrients.