School of Chemistry and Physics, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
Reddy, M., School of Chemistry and Physics, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; Moodley, R., School of Chemistry and Physics, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; Jonnalagadda, S.B., School of Chemistry and Physics, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
The distribution of 14 elements (both essential and non-essential) in the Hass and Fuerte cultivars of avocados grown at six different sites in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, was investigated. Soils from the different sites were concurrently analysed for elemental concentration (both total and exchangeable), pH, organic matter and cation exchange capacity. In both varieties of the fruit, concentrations of the elements Cd, Co, Cr, Pb and Se were extremely low with the other elements being in decreasing order of Mg > Ca > Fe > Al > Zn > Mn > Cu > Ni > As. Nutritionally, avocados were found to be a good dietary source of the micronutrients Cu and Mn. In soil, Pb concentrations indicated enrichment (positive geoaccumuluation indices) but this did not influence uptake of the metal by the plant. Statistical analysis was done to evaluate the impact of soil quality parameters on the nutrient composition of the fruits. This analysis indicated the prevalence of complex metal interactions at the soil-plant interface that influenced their uptake by the plant. However, the plant invariably controlled metal uptake according to metabolic needs as evidenced by their accumulation and exclusion. © 2014 Springer International Publishing.
Biochemistry; Fruits; Lead; Magnesium; Manganese; Nutrients; Pollution; Soils; Antagonism; Avocado; Bioavailability; Elemental distribution; Nutrient uptake; Synergism; Quality control; aluminum; arsenic; cadmium; calcium; chromium; cobalt; copper; iron; lead; magnesium; manganese; nickel; organic matter; selenium; zinc; bioaccumulation; bioavailability; biological uptake; cation exchange capacity; concentration (composition); crop plant; cultivar; fruit; nutrient uptake; organic matter; parameterization; pH; soil quality; spatial distribution; article; avocado; cation exchange; chemical composition; concentration (parameters); controlled study; nonhuman; plant nutrient; plant parameters; plant soil relationship; soil acidity; soil analysis; soil quality; South Africa; KwaZulu-Natal; South Africa; Persea americana; Environmental Monitoring; Metals; Nutritive Value; Persea; Soil; Soil Pollutants; South Africa; Trace Elements