Analysis of the accumulation and redistribution patterns of cesium in Vicia faba grown on contaminated soils

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cesium (Cs) contamination and plant growing stages in crops or vegetables grown on Cs-contaminated soils. Vicia faba was grown on Cs-contaminated soils under pot-culture conditions, and Cs uptake and bioaccumulation at various growing stages were then measured. The results showed that Cs uptake by V. faba was significantly greater on soils with a higher Cs content. As shown by the bioaccumulation factor (BCF), the highest transfer coefficient occurred when V. faba reached the maturation stage. Cs was easily transferred to young organs, especially seeds, with an average percentage of 9.60% in seeds during the maturation stage. This implies that Cs can be transferred to the human food chain at all growth stages of the plant, especially the last stages. Uptake rates of Cs remained stable during the generative growth phase of V. faba. This implies that the cultivation of varieties with short generative growth periods can reduce Cs accumulation in the edible parts of plants.