Identification of barley genotypes with low grain Cd accumulation and its interaction with four microelements

The variation in grain cadmium (Cd) concentrations was evaluated among 600 barley genotypes grown in the same field condition to select low Cd accumulating genotypes. The results showed that there is considerable genotypic variation in grain Cd concentrations in barley grain samples, with the mean concentration of 0.16 mg kg−1 DW and the variation of 0 (not detected) to 1.21 mg kg−1 DW, and 47.2% of the grain samples exceeded the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) for Cd in cereal grains. In addition, differences between genotypes over the two years were fairly consistent, and Beitalys and Shang 98-128 showed the lowest grain Cd concentration, being 97.5% lower than that in the two highest Cd accumulators E-barley 6 and Zhenong 8 in the second harvest year. The great genotypic differences in Cd concentrations indicated that it is possible to lower Cd content of barley through cultivar selection and breeding for use at sites where Cd concentration in grain exceeds the MPC. Significant genotypic difference was also found in microelement concentrations. Correlation analysis showed that only Mn accumulation is synergetic with Cd accumulation, despite slightly positive relationship between Cd and Zn, Cu, or Fe in accumulation in barley grains.