Models for the field-based toxicity of copper and zinc salts to wheat in 11 Australian soils and comparison to laboratory-based models

Michael St J. Warne, Diane Heemsbergen, Mike McLaughlin, Mike Bell, Kris Broos, Mark Whatmuff, Glenn Barry, David Nash, Deb Pritchard, Nancy Penney

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Laboratory-based relationships that model the phytotoxicity of metals using soil properties have been developed. This paper presents the first field-based phytotoxicity relationships. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was grown at 11 Australian field sites at which soil was spiked with copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) salts. Toxicity was measured as inhibition of plant growth at 8 weeks and grain yield at harvest. The added Cu and Zn EC10 values for both endpoints ranged from approximately 3 to 4760 mg/kg. There were no relationships between field-based 8-week biomass and grain yield toxicity values for either metal. Cu toxicity was best modelled using pH and organic carbon content while Zn toxicity was best modelled using pH and the cation exchange capacity. The best relationships estimated toxicity within a factor of two of measured values. Laboratory-based phytotoxicity relationships could not accurately predict field-based phytotoxicity responses. Crown

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)707-714
Number of pages8
JournalEnvironmental Pollution
Volume156
Issue number3
Early online date24 Jul 2008
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Copper
  • Phytotoxicity
  • Soil properties
  • Wheat
  • Zinc

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Toxicology
  • Pollution
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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