Features of the accumulation of 137CS in highbush blueberry (Vaccinum х covellianum But. et Pl.)

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study of the features of accumulation of ¹³⁷Cs in tall blueberries of the Bluecrop variety on sod-podzolic sandy loam soil. It was revealed that, according to the specific activity of ¹³⁷Cs, the organs of blueberry plants in the stage of fruit ripeness are ranked in the following order: roots > stems > leaves > berries. The transfer coefficient (Kp, Bq/kg : kBq/m²) of ¹³⁷Cs from soil to crop fruits is characterized by a high degree of dependence on soil acidity (R² = 0,70) and a noticeable degree of dependence on the content of in it K₂O (R² = 0,43). With an increase in pH_KCI values and the content of mobile forms of potassium, the intake of radionuclide into blueberry plants decreases. The introduction of mineral fertilizers reduces the intake of radiocaesium in blueberry fruits. The maximum input of ¹³⁷Cs from soil into plants occurred in the control variant without the use of fertilizers (Kp, 0,199 Bq/kg : kBq/m²). The application of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers reduced Kp by 29, 5%. The use of a complete mineral fertilizer does not contribute to a further decrease in the ¹³⁷Cs intake in blueberry fruits -the decrease in Kp relative to the control is 18,0-24,5 %, depending on the variant of the experiment. The limiting density of soil contamination that ensures the production of fruit crops corresponding to RdU-99 in terms of ¹³⁷Cs content, depending on the option of applying mineral fertilizers, varies from 8,4 Ci/km² to 11,4 Ci/km².