Effects of Cadmium and Soil Type on Mineral Nutrition and Carbon Partitioning in Seedlings of Pinus Sylvestris

The responses of Pinus sylvestris seedlings grown in organic and mineral soils in the presence of Cd were compared inorder to evaluate the amelioration of Cd toxicity by soil organicmatter. Low levels of ammonium acetate-extractable Cd in organicsoil, compared with mineral soil, indicate a strong affinity ofCd for soil organic matter. Soil organic matter was notfound to ameliorate Cd toxicity in terms of shoot growth,however Cd levels in shoots were lower in seedlings grownin organic soil than those grown in mineral soil. Root Caand Mg concentrations were higher in organic soil. Improvednutrition of the seedlings in organic soil and organiccomplexing might be responsible for reduced Cd accumulationin shoots. Cd increased soluble carbohydrate concentrationand decreased starch concentration in the seedlings grownin organic soil. Lower levels of total non-structuralcarbohydrates in the seedlings grown in the organic soilappeared to be related to an increase in stem growth.