Variation in cadmium concentrations in shoots of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.)

Fifty plants from each of eight chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) populations were screened for variation in foliar cadmium (Cd) concentrations in a glasshouse experiment using soil containing 1.2 mg Cd kg-1. There was substantial variation in Cd concentrations in all the populations and no relationship between Cd level and plant size. Two polycrosses were done with plants selected for lower Cd and one polycross with plants selected for higher Cd. The progenies were tested for foliar Cd and growth rate using the same methods as in the initial screening. The progenies from parents selected for higher Cd averaged 15.1 mg Cd kg-1 and the progenies from those selected for lower Cd averaged 8.1 mg Cd kg-1. The % realised heritabilities for shoot Cd concentrations ranged from 0.6 to 1.0. The results show that it should be possible to breed productive, low Cd chicory for use as a forage on soils with elevated Cd, as well as hyper accumulating types as tools for phytoremediation of contaminated soils.