Excess trace metal effects on cotton: 4. Chromium and lithium in Yolo loam soil

Abstract

Two cultivars of cotton (Gossypium spp) were grown in Yolo loam soil in a glasshouse to determine phytotoxicity effects of Cr and Li and possible interactions with other metals. The Cr at 100 μg/g soil had no adverse effects on either cultivar studied. A Cr increase was not observed in either stems or leaves. Both cultivars tolerated 25 and 50 μg Li/g soil. The 50 μg Li/g soil resulted in leaves of Acala SJ‐2 with 432 μg Li/g leaves and 720 in Giza 45. The 100 μg Li/g soil resulted in 74% and 87% leaf yield reductions in Acala SJ‐2 and Giza 45 respectively. Leaf concentrations of Li respectively were 1950 and 1850 μg/g. Except at the highest level of Li, leaves had higher concentrations of Li than did roots. The Cr and Li resulted in some plant metal interactions.