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Frequently Asked Question
Questions asked by users might not always be phrased in the clearest way.
Why might higher metal levels be tolerated for one type of crop versus another
Accepted Answer
The tolerance of different crops to heavy metal levels can be attributed to several factors, including:
Plant species-specific mechanisms: Some plants have evolved specialized mechanisms to sequester, detoxify, or exclude heavy metals. These mechanisms can involve:
Accumulation in specific tissues: Some plants accumulate heavy metals in non-essential tissues like the roots or older leaves, minimizing their impact on other plant functions.
Chelation: Plants can produce specific compounds that bind to heavy metals, forming less toxic complexes.
Cellular compartmentalization: Heavy metals can be sequestered in vacuoles or other cellular compartments to reduce their toxicity.
Environmental factors: Soil pH, organic matter content, and the presence of other nutrients can influence the bioavailability and toxicity of heavy metals.
Genetic variations: Different cultivars of the same crop species can have varying levels of tolerance to heavy metals due to genetic differences in their uptake, transport, and detoxification mechanisms.
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