Differences in ability of selected amaranth cultivars to accumulate risky metals / Zróżnicowana zdolność wybranych odmian szarłatu (Amaranhtus) do pobierania i akumulacji metali ciężkich z gleb

The objective of the study is to compare the degree of accumulation of risky metals by seeds and aboveground biomass of five amaranth cultivars cultivars (Golden Giant, Rawa, Annapurna, Oscar Blanco, Koniz), as well as to assess the metal input extent in system soil-plant. The soil of amaranth cultivation was uncontaminated with the exception of Cd and Pb contents, those were 40% and 10% higher than limits given for the soil extract by aqua regia and by NH₄NO₃, respectively. In seeds of all investigated amaranth cultivars the maximal allowed amounts for Cd and Pb were by 60-100% and 25-200% (respectively) exceeded. In aboveground amaranth biomass 0.17-12.25 fold higher amounts of heavy metals were determined in comparison to amaranth seeds. Our results confirm, that amaranth seeds and leaves as food raw materials could represent a risk to the health of the consumer from the aspect of high Cd and Pb amounts. Because of the ability to produce abundance of biomass and at the same time to accumulate high amounts of dangerous heavy metals amaranth could be used as a potential plant for a soil phytoremediation. The results confirmed the ability of amaranth to accumulate metals even from relatively „clean“ soil