Raziskovalni projekti

Cadmium (Cd) is considered one of the most ecotoxic metals, with harmful effects on humans, animals and plants. The presence of Cd in food is a consequence of soil and water contamination. Inorganic contaminants in soil, including Cd, which is the main source of Cd for plants, occur as a result of natural processes (weathering of the parent rock) as well as human activities.

In recent years, official controls of crops in primary production have repeatedly detected Cd concentrations exceeding the maximum permitted levels in cereals, vegetables and potatoes grown in different regions of Slovenia. Elevated Cd concentrations in vegetables and potatoes also occur in areas where the limit values for Cd in soil are not exceeded. Preliminary analyses indicate that Cd concentrations in garlic are primarily related to the amount of bioavailable Cd in the soil, rather than the total Cd concentration in the soil. The amount of bioavailable Cd is influenced by both soil pH and soil organic matter content, while differences also occur between varieties.

Cd bioavailability can be reduced through various agrotechnical measures, while in situ immobilisation using soil amendments is most commonly recommended for the remediation of contaminated soils. Plant species and varieties also differ in their affinity for Cd uptake.

The aim of the project is to further improve the safety of food produced in Slovenia by reducing Cd concentrations, particularly in vegetables and potatoes, with a focus on production in areas that are not considered contaminated with Cd but where specific soil properties increase the risk of excessive Cd concentrations in crops.

Project objectives

• To classify agricultural land according to the likelihood of elevated Cd concentrations in crops based on environmental factors and soil properties.
• To prepare an overview of possible agrotechnical measures for reducing Cd concentrations in vegetables and potatoes.
• To test the effectiveness and determine the acceptability of agrotechnical measures for reducing Cd concentrations in vegetables and potatoes under field conditions.
• To determine the effects of soil pH, liming and organic matter on Cd uptake by vegetables grown in uncontaminated soils in a pot experiment.
• To prepare recommendations on agrotechnical measures for reducing Cd concentrations in vegetables and potatoes, taking into account the costs of the measures, their long-term effectiveness, commercial availability and general acceptability in Slovenia.

Activities

The project is organised into five work packages (WPs):

• WP1 – Project organisation and management: ensuring that the project proceeds according to the planned timeline and that the project objectives are achieved.
• WP2 – Identification of areas at risk of elevated Cd concentrations in crops: identifying areas in Slovenia where elevated Cd concentrations in plants can be expected despite soils not being contaminated with Cd.
• WP3 – Testing technological measures to reduce Cd concentrations in vegetable and potato crops: field trials on agricultural holdings to assess the effectiveness of selected measures for reducing Cd concentrations in selected vegetables and potatoes.
• WP4 – Economics of technological measures to reduce Cd availability from soil: evaluating the impact of the measures tested in WP3 on the economic viability of production.
• WP5 – Communication and knowledge transfer: ensuring that professionals and growers are informed about project activities and findings.

Partnership

• Agricultural Institute of Slovenia
• Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia – Institute of Agriculture and Forestry Murska Sobota