Pollution of early potato variety tubers with lead and strontium in Eastern Polesie

Trace elements contents analyses were made in tuber samples collected from the field experiment in 1996-1998 in Experimental Station, Parczew, on weak loamy sand soil. The following experimental factors were taken into account: their cultivation technologies; two potato varieties (Aster and Drop). The lead content in very early potato tubers appeared to be higher than the permissible one in all study years. The highest lead content was found in young tubers harvested on 60th day after setting. Along with the delay of harvest, the lead level tended to be lower. Tubers harvested on the 75th day after setting accumulated the most strontium, those physiologically matured had the lowest level of this element. All types of coverage applied in the study contributed to the increase of lead content in tubers of very early potato varieties as compared to traditional cultivation. Neither cultivation technologies nor variety features modified the strontium accumulation in tubers.