10.26091/ESRNZ.9630638.v1 Shamim Al Mamun Shamim Al Mamun Niklas J. Lehto Niklas J. Lehto Jo Cavanagh Jo Cavanagh Richard McDowell Richard McDowell Munmun Aktar Munmun Aktar Ebrahim Benyas Ebrahim Benyas Brett H. Robinson Brett H. Robinson Effects of lime and organic amendments derived from varied source materials on cadmium uptake by potato Institute of Environmental Science and Research 2019 Cadmium Cadmium Uptake Potatoes Lime Organic Amendments Compost Applications Cadmium rich phosphate fertilizer Solanum tuberosum L. Cadmium contamination New Zealand Cadmium concentration in food Agriculture, Land and Farm Management not elsewhere classified Farming Systems Research Fertilisers and Agrochemicals (Application etc.) 2019-08-19 04:29:43 Journal contribution https://research.esr.cri.nz/articles/journal_contribution/Effects_of_lime_and_organic_amendments_derived_from_varied_source_materials_on_cadmium_uptake_by_potato/9630638 Repeated applications of Cd-rich phosphate fertilizers have resulted in elevated concentrations of this toxic element in some New Zealand soils. Exceedance of the food safety standard for Cd (0.1 mg kg fresh weight) has been reported for potato ( L.). Composts may efficiently sorb Cd in soil and therefore reduce its phytoavailability, leading to reduced uptake by plants. We aimed to determine the potential of various composts, shredded corn stover, and lime at two different rates to reduce the transfer of Cd from a soil (containing 1.45 mg kg Cd) to potato (var. 'Nadine'). In the control, the peeled tubers, skins, leaves, and stems had Cd concentrations of 0.04, 0.09, 0.26, and 0.53 mg kg dry weight, respectively. There was a 71% reduction in tuber Cd concentrations in potatoes grown in soil amended with 5% (w/w) shredded corn stover, although it significantly decreased potato biomass. Potatoes grown in soil amended with pig manure compost, mushroom compost, sawdust-animal waste compost, and municipal compost at rates of either 2.5 or 5% (w/w) reduced tuber Cd concentrations by 58 to 66%, 46 to 63%, 52 to 53%, and 29 to 49%, respectively. Lime (1.3%) application in soil reduced tuber Cd concentrations by 50%. Composts significantly increased tuber biomass. Further work is warranted to identify the key components of composts that result in reduced Cd uptake by plants.