NITROGEN, PHOSPHORUS AND ZINC MANAGEMENT EFFECTS ON GRAIN-YIELD AND CADMIUM CONCENTRATION IN 2 CULTIVARS OF DURUM-WHEAT

Cadmium concentration in durum (Triticum turgidum) grain may be influe nced by fertilizer management. A 3-yr field study conducted on two Ort hic Black Chernozemic soils investigated the effects of banded and bro adcast applications of N and P, and applications of Zn fertilizer on t he yield and Cd concentration of the grain of two cultivars of durum w heat. Applications of N and P fertilizer increased grain yield of duru m wheat when soil nutrient supply was low or yield potential was high, while Zn application generally had little effect on grain yield. Cadm ium concentration of durum increased with applications of N and P and was generally unaffected by Zn application. Method of application of N or P did not consistently influence either grain yield or Cd concentr ation of the grain under the conditions of this study. Where differenc es due to placement occurred, banded P produced higher grain yield and Cd concentration than application of the same level of P as a broadca st treatment. Cadmium accumulation increased substantially with N and P applications, since both Cd concentration in the grain and grain yie ld increased with N and P application. Year-to-year variation in Cd co ncentration in the grain was large, indicating a strong effect of envi ronment on Cd phytoavailability.