376
Trace Elements in Abiotic and Biotic Environments
57.5 PLANTS
A close relationship between LA contents of plants and their occurrence in soils has
been always observed, and their concentration orders, similar to terrestrial materials,
decrease with the increase of atomic numbers.
The concentration of LAs in food plants is of a special concern. LA amounts
in vegetable are very variable, apparently due to their various contents in soils
(Table 57.6). Wheat grains contain relatively low amounts of LAs and are smaller
than wheat shoots. Elevated LA contents in wheat grains from China, compared to
their contents in grains from Sweden, clearly indicate that soils and farming habits
have an impact.
The first attempts to use LAs in agriculture were made in China in 1970. Later,
such attempts were also made in Western countries (Hanc zakowska and Hanczakowski
2010). In China, both yield increases and quality improvements were achieved in multiple plant species, including cereals, fruits, and vegetables after their application.
Recommended application rates vary with the crop species, the application technique
(soil, foliar, or seed dressing) as well as the timing. Soil dressing with LAs used in China
had visible effect on their contents in wheat grains. Also other food plants cultivated
in China contain elevated amounts of some LAs (Liang et al. 2005). Relatively high
TABLE 57.6
Lanthanides in Terrestrial Plants (μg/kg)
Element
Vegetable a
Wheat Grain b
Wheat Grain c
Mushroom d
La
4–2000
1.7
16.8
27
Ce
1–50
3.4
26.9
56.0
Pr
1–2
0.4
1.9
6.5
Nd
10
0.9
6.8
23.0
Sm
0.2–100
<0.1
1.1
7.3
Eu
0.04–70
0.2
0.3
1.9
Gd
<2
<0.1
0.2
8.1
Tb
0.1–1
0.1
0.1
1.3
Dy
–
<0.1
0.7
3.7
Ho
0.06–0.1
<0.1
0.1
1.5
Er
1.1–2
<0.1
1.8
2.9
Tm
0.2–4
<0.1
1.8
0.9
Yb
0.08–20
<0.1
1.5
2.2
Lu
0.01–60
<0.1
1.5
–
a
Sources:
Kabata-Pendias and Pendias (1999).

b Grains from Sweden. Eriksson, J.E., Swedish EPA Report 5159, Stockholm, Sweden,
2001a.
c Grains from China. Liang, T. et al., Environ. Geochem. Health, 27, 301–311, 2005.
d Boletus edulis. Falandysz et al. (2012).