It is known that certain phosphate fertilizers contain a significant amount of cadmium, a heavy metal that is a highly toxic element to human health. Long-term application of such phosphate fertilizers to agricultural soils can present a potential hazardous avenue from soil via plants to the human diet. IFDC has conducted studies to investigate factors affecting cadmium uptake by plants and distribution of cadmium in different plant parts (root, straw, and grain) as influenced by cadmium solubility in phosphate fertilizers, soil properties, and types of crop. Soil amendments such as liming and incorporation of crop residues and animal manures have also been shown to reduce cadmium availability.

For more information regarding this project, contact —nchien@ifdc.org

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