The effect of root-treatment of cauliflower, spinach, and parsley plants with lead and cadmium were studied. Both metal ions showed obvious growth inhibition of treated plants with cadmium having higher toxicity on growth than lead.

Cadmium was more concentrated in the edible parts of the three treated plants whereas lead was more concentrated in the edible parts of cauliflower and spinach plants only.

Metal ion concentrations and total metal ion content of treated plants increased with the increase of concentration of cadmium or lead ions in solutions used for treatment. The uptake of metal ion per unit concentration decreased in treated plants with the increase of concentration of cadmium or lead ions in solutions used for treatment.

Metal ion concentration and metal uptake were higher in the plants treated with cadmium than those treated with lead.

Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, Volume 30, Issue 4 May 1995 , pages 831 - 849