Trace elements in Western Canadian Hard Red Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): Levels and quality assurance

A monitoring program was conducted for trace elements in Western Canadian H ard Red Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Samples were selected from har vest survey samples submitted by producers from crop districts in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta for 1996, 1997, and 1998 crops. The analytical q uality control measures used in these surveys are described along with the results for Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, and Zn. Accuracy and precision for the anal yses fell within the acceptable control limits. Year-to-year variations in grain chemistry were small for Cd, Mn, Se, and Zn, but Cu and Fe contents s howed 12 and 9% decreases, respectively, over the 3 years. The overall vari ability for the plant-essential trace elements-Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn-was low c ompared with that for Cd and Se. The spatial variation in crop chemistry ac ross the Canadian Prairie wheat-producing region was greater than the year- to-year variations. Soil properties were major factors in controlling Cd an d Se levels in grain.