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M. Saastamoinen et al. (2013) 22: 296–306
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Yield, SDG lignan, cadmium, lead, oil and protein contents of linseed
(Linum usitatissimum L.) cultivated in trials and at different farm
conditions in the south-western part of Finland
Marketta Saastamoinen1*, Juha-Matti Pihlava2, Merja Eurola3 , Ari Klemola1, Lauri Jauhiainen3 and Veli Hietaniemi4
1 Satafood Development Association, Viialankatu 25, FI-32700 Huittinen, Finland
2 MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Biotechnology and Food Research, FI-31600 Jokioinen, Finland
3 MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Plant Production Research, FI-31600 Jokioinen, Finland
4 MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Services Unit, FI-31600 Jokioinen, Finland
e-mail: marke.saastamoinen@gmail.com
Linseed varieties were studied in variety trials and under farm conditions in south-western Finland in the years
2007−2010. The variation in yield, oil, protein, SDG lignan, cadmium and lead contents were studied in 8 oil and 2
fibre linseed varieties. Genotypic, environmental and genotype x environment interaction variance estimates were
calculated. Fibre varieties ‘Belinka’ and ‘Martta’ had higher protein and lower oil contents than oil linseed varieties.
The SDG lignan contents of linseed varieties varied between 3635−9560 mg kg-1. Rather high genotypic variance
was found in yield, oil, protein and SDG lignan contents. ‘Abacus’, ‘Helmi’ and ‘Martta’ had the highest SDG lignan
contents while ‘Laser’ had a lower SDG lignan content. Variation in cadmium and lead contents was caused by en-
vironmental effects. The highest cadmium contents, 0.82−1.69 mg kg-1, were found in soils fertilized by wastewater
sludge about 20 years ago and at fields with low bottom soil pH (4.1−4.5).
Key words: soil pH, flax, wastewater sludge fertilization, genotypic variance
Introduction
Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is an oil crop cultivated in small extent in Finland. Some 2000 ha of linseed are
cultivated annually in the southern part of Finland but large amounts of linseed are also imported to Finland eve-
ry year. Linseed contains nutritional oil with high linolenic acid content, good quality protein and especially high
lignan content.
Linseed is one of the richest sources of lignans used in the human diet. The seeds of linseed and sesame (Sesa-
mum indicum) contain high lignan contents compared to other food crops (Smeds et al. 2007). The major lignan
in linseed is secoisolariciresinol, which is present as a diglucoside (SDG) linked to oligomers mainly by 3-hydroxy-
3-methyl glutaryl esters (Ford et al. 2001, Kamal-Eldin et al. 2001). After ingestion lignans like SDG undergo trans-
formations and finally form mammalian lignans, enterodiol and entero-lactone, through conversion by intestinal
microbes. Through their antioxidant activity and ability to bind divalent metal cations, lignans are beneficial to
human health. Various health effects have been linked to SDG lignan, including cardiovascular heart health, the
control of diabetes, and the reduction of the risk of certain cancer types (breast, colon and lung) (Adolphe et al.
2010, Toure and Xueming 2010).
Cadmium and lead are harmful elements in the diet of humans. Chronic low-dose exposure, e.g. via food, to cad-
mium has various adverse health effects in human beings (Satarug et al. 2010). Cadmium and lead are especially
harmful to children (Thatcher et al. 1982, Wright et al. 2006). Recently, cadmium has also been found to cause
estrogen-like effects in vitro and in vivo (Johnson et al. 2003) thereby causing a higher risk of breast cancer in hu-
man beings (McElroy et al. 2006).
Manuscript received November 2012
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High cadmium and lead contents in soil and plants are found near the sides of main roads (Lagerwerff and Spe-
cht 1970, Motto et al. 1970) and near metal and mine industry areas (Liu et al. 2005). High concentrations of cad-
mium are also found in fields fertilized by wastewater sludge (Davis 1984). Several phosphate fertilizers contain
cadmium. The cadmium content of fields has increased by 10 fold under phosphate fertilization in several soils
(Williams and David 1976). Different plants and different plant parts accumulate different amounts of cadmium
(Matt 1970). The leaves and stems of crops are usually more contaminated by heavy metals than seeds and fruits
(Liu et al. 2005). Linseed has a tendency, however, to accumulate cadmium from the soil to the seeds (Kymäläinen
and Sjöberg 2006). Cadmium accumulation by plants depends on the amount and solubility of cadmium in soil,
the soil pH and soil type, and on some other metal contents, e.g. Zn in soil (Grant et al. 1998, Zhao and Saigusa
2007). Cadmium solubility is increased by a low soil pH (Zhao and Saigusa 2007). Cadmium uptake to plants is
competitive with Zn uptake from the soil (Grant et al. 1998).
In the present research several varieties of oil and fibre linseed were studied in variety trials, in farm variety trials
and under different farm field conditions in south-western part of Finland over four-year period. Different oil and
fibre linseed varieties were studied in relation to their performance in the conditions of south-western Finland,
because only very limited official information exits on the performance of linseed varieties in Finland. The yields
and chemical quality were studied for the beneficial SDG lignan, oil and protein contents, and the harmful, cad-
mium and lead contents in different varieties and in varying field cultivation conditions. Weather conditions dur-
ing growing period, soil types, and pH of soils vary greatly in Finland. The main aim of the study was to discover
the level of yield and nutritionally beneficial lignan and harmful cadmium and lead contents in different varieties
and environments. Genetic and environmental variation and the stability of the characteristics in varying condi-
tions were studied. The effects of variety, year and location on yield and chemical quality of linseed were calcu-
lated and discussed.
Materials and methods
Plant materials, trials, fields and weather conditions
Linseed seed samples were collected from farms in 2007−2010. These included samples from two linseed varie-
ties, ‘Helmi’ and ‘Laser’. A replicated variety trial was established at the MTT Agrifood Research Finland station
in Kaarina near Turku in south-western Finland in 2009 and 2010. The trial design comprised randomized blocks
with 4 replications. The harvested plot size was 10.31 m2. The weeds were suppressed by amidosulfuron (Gratil)
40 g ha-1 in both years. A replicated linseed variety trial was established also at a farm in Kylmäkoski near Tam-
pere in 2010. The farm trial was established by direct seeding. The trial had 3 replications and the harvested plot
size was 500 m2. The weeds were suppressed by a mixture of amidosulfuron (Gratil) 20 g ha-1 and metsulfuron
methyl (Ally 50 ST) 3 g ha-1.
The oil linseed varieties in the trials were ‘Abacus’, ‘Aries’, ‘Comtess’, ‘Heljä’, ‘Helmi’, ‘Laser’, ‘Sunrise’, ‘Taurus’,
and the fibre varieties ‘Belinka’ and ‘Martta’. Linseed crops at trials and farm fields were combine-harvested and
dried after harvesting. The data for sowing and harvesting, fertilization, soil pH and nutrients at farms and trials
are given in Table 1. The nutrient contents of the soils have been analysed by the acid ammonium acetate extrac-
tion method described by Vuorinen and Mäkitie (1955). Soil pH was measured after dissolving soil samples in dis-
tilled water. Cultivation data was not obtained from every farm. Seed samples were obtained without cultivation
data from Loimaa (60° 51’ N longitude, 23° 03’ E latitude) and Kiukainen (61° 12’N longitude, 22° 05’ E latitude).
Weather conditions at 4 places of the cultivation area in the cultivation years 2007−2010 are shown in Table 2. Pre-
cipitation was also measured at the farm trial at Kylmäkoski in 2010. 2010 was warmer than other years. In Pori
the differences in growth temperatures between different years were not as great as in other locations, Kaarina,
Jokioinen (60° 48’ N longitude, 23° 29’ E latitude) and Tampere, Pirkkala (61° 27’ N longitude, 23° 38’ E latitude).
Field 3 at Pori in 2008 had suffered wastewater sludge fertilization about 20 years ago (Table 1, Jukka Kaijanen,
personal information). The sludge has had high Ca and Cd contents. The fields at Pori are near the sea coast and
formed part of the sea bed. The cultivation of these fields began in the 1950s. The bottom soils in these fields are
very acid so-called sulphate soils (Table 1).
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Chemical analyses
Oil, protein, SDG lignan, cadmium and lead contents were analysed from the seed samples of trials and farm lin-
seed samples. Protein contents were analysed only from the samples from 2008−10. Oil and protein contents
were analysed in the samples at the laboratories of Viljavuuspalvelu Ltd. Protein contents were analysed by the
Kjeldahl method using a FINAS (Finnish Accreditation Service) ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 accredited method. The oil
contents were analysed by a national official method used for oil crops in Finland (MMM 1991). Oil was extracted
by a heptane ethanol mixture (heptane 75 % : absolute ethanol 25 %) and measured quantitatively. SDG lignan
contents were analysed from the crushed seeds after oil removal and alkaline hydrolysis by liquid chromatogra-
phy using a diode array detector (Muir and Westcott 2000 with slight modifications). Cadmium and lead contents
of the samples were analysed by ICP mass spectrometer after wet digestion by HNO
3
. SDG lignan, cadmium and
lead analyses were carried out at the MTT Laboratories.
Statistical calculations
The results were calculated using the Statistica programme. The effects of varieties, year and locations, and the
differences between varieties, locations and years were tested using the ANOVA programme. Two models were
used to test the variety-by-location interactions. First the interaction was tested using SAS/MIXED software by
adding interaction effect to the original model as a fixed effect. Because only a few varieties were tested in more
than one location, the magnitude of interaction was estimated using variance component model (=second mod-
el). All effects (variety, year, location, variety-by-location) were included as random effects in variance component
model and variances were estimated using REML-estimation method.
Genotypic and environmental variance and genotype x environment interaction estimates were calculated from
the variance components for the yield and chemical quality parameters of linseed according to the following equa-
tion (Falconer 1981):
d
P
2 = d
g
2 + d
e
2 + d
ge
2,
where
d
P
2 = phenotypic variance
d
g
2= genotypic variance
d
e
2 = environmental variance
d
ge
2 = genotype x environment interaction
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M. Saastamoinen et al. (2013) 22: 296–306
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Ta
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300
Table 2. Mean temperature and precipitation in May-September at 4 locations of south-western part of Finland in 2007−2010
compared to normal conditions (1971−2000) (Data is from Finnish Meteorological Institute, Finland, http:/www.fmi/saa/tilastot.html.).
Location
Year
Mean
temperature
°C
Precipitation
mm
Mean
temperature
in 1971−2000
°C
Precipitation
in 1971−2000
mm
Deviation from normal
Mean
temperature °C
Precipitation
mm
Jokioinen 2007 13,6 311 13,0 318 0,5 -7
2008 12,6 288 13,0 318 -0,4 -30
2009 13,6 246 13,0 318 0,5 -72
2010 14,6 291 13,0 318 1,6 -27
Kaarina 2007 14,1 284 13,6 310 0,6 -25
2008 13,3 272 13,6 310 -0,3 -38
2009 13,8 255 13,6 310 0,3 -55
2010 14,9 289 13,6 310 1,4 -20
Pori 2007 13,8 380 12,9 290 0,9 90
2008 12,6 275 12,9 290 -0,2 -15
2009 13,7 315 12,9 290 0,9 25
2010 13,5 342 12,9 290 0,6 52
Tampere,
Pirkkala 2007 13,5 364 12,9 306 0,6 58
2008 12,2 314 12,9 306 -0,7 8
2009 13,4 255 12,9 306 0,5 -51
2010 14,6 332 12,9 306 1,7 26
Kylmäkoski 2010 294
Results and discussion
Yield, oil, protein and SDG lignan contents of linseed
The chemical quality of linseed samples was good, having high levels of oil and protein (Table 3). The oil content of
linseed varieties varied from 42.5 g 100 g-1 to 48.8 g 100 g-1 of dry matter (Table 3). The ‘Helmi’ variety had lower
oil content than other oil linseed varieties (Table 4). The oil contents of fibre varieties ‘Martta’ (40.2 g 100 g-1) and
‘Belinka’ (34.8 g 100 g-1)) were lower than those of oil linseed varieties. The differences in oil and protein contents
between oil and fibre linseed varieties were significant (Table 3). The fibre varieties, ‘Martta’ and ‘Belinka’, had
higher protein contents (26.2 and 27.5 g 100 g-1) compared to the oil linseed varieties (Table 4). In oil crops oil and
protein are very often negatively correlated characteristics. The varieties differed in terms of oil contents (Table 4).
Differences caused by genotype, year, location and interactions between genotype x year and genotype x location
could be calculated. The genotypic variance estimate was rather high for yield (28 %) and high for protein (47 %)
and oil content (55 %) of linseed in this material (Table 5). There were, however, no significant differences in yield
of varieties (Table 4). The yields of oil linseed varieties were higher than the seed yields of the fibre varieties. The
genotype x year and genotype x location interactions for protein content was very low < 1 %. The genotype x year
interaction for oil content was 16 % and genotype x location interaction was 4 % from the total variance.
A G R I C U LT U R A L A N D F O O D S C I E N C E
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Table 3. Oil, protein, SDG lignan, cadmium and lead contents in oil and fibre linseed varieties
Material Chemical compound Samples Mean Min Max SD1 F-test between variety groups
n F value p value
df
factor
df
error
Oil linseed
varieties Oil content, g 100 g
-1 32 45.0 40.0 50.3 2.7
Protein content, g 100 g-1 21 22.7 18.5 28.3 2.5
SDG Lignan content, mg kg-1 32 5706 3369 9070 1605
Cadmium content, mg kg-1 32 0.538 0.250 1.690 0.282
Lead content, mg kg-1 32 0.029 0.006 0.091 0.020
Fibre linseed
varieties Oil content, g 100 g
-1 5 37.0 28.2 41.8 5.7 27.73 0.000 1 35
Protein content, g 100 g-1 5 26.7 24.8 30.2 2.2 10.84 0.000 1 24
SDG Lignan content, mg kg-1 5 6822 5342 9560 1938 1.98 0.003 1 35
Cadmium content, mg kg-1 5 0.538 0.420 0.630 0.102 0.00 0.997 1 35
Lead content, mg kg-1 5 0.012 0.007 0.024 0.007 3.41 0.073 1 35
All varieties Oil content, g 100 g-1 37 43.9 28.2 50.3 4.2
Protein content, g 100 g-1 26 23.5 18.5 30.2 2.9
SDG Lignan content, mg kg-1 37 5857 3369 9560 1669
Cadmium content, mg kg-1 37 0.538 0.250 1.690 0.264
Lead content, mg kg-1 37 0.027 0.006 0.091 0.020
1SD= standard deviation
The environmental variances were 52 % for protein content and 24 % for oil content (Table 5). The variance caused
by location was very small, < 1 %, for both characteristics. The environmental variance for oil content was caused
by the effect of the year. The environmental effect for protein content was caused by year and the environmental
effect for protein content was caused by year and location x year interaction. The highest protein contents were
found in the year 2010, especially in Kaarina. The mean temperature of the year 2010 was higher than in other
years (Table 2), which explained the higher protein contents of linseed. There was no great difference in precipi-
tation in Kaarina between the years. High temperature and dryness increase the protein content of seeds in many
crops (Dornbos and Mullen 1992, Wrigley et al. 1994). Tadesse et al. (2010) have found an estimate of heritabil-
ity (=genotypic variance) of 59 % for oil content in linseed and of 78 % for yield in 81 genotypes under Ethiopian
conditions. Genotypic variance is the heritability estimate in broad sense which reveals how good a character is
inherited. The heritability estimate of oil content of Tadesse et al. (2010) is fairly near the estimate of present
study despite the limited size of our material.
Significant differences between varieties were found in SDG lignan contents (Table 3 and 4). SDG lignan contents
were higher in ‘Abacus’, ‘Helmi’ and ‘Martta’ compared to other varieties (Table 3). The highest SDG lignan content
was found in the ‘Martta’ variety (7559 mg kg-1). An especially low SDG lignan content was found in the ‘Laser’,
‘Aries’ and ‘Comtess’ linseed varieties. Diederichsen and Fu (2008) have reported a mean value of 11 340 +/- 3 850
mg kg-1 (3 600−19 000 mg kg-1) lignan content in flax germplasm collection. Thompson et al. (1997) have tested
10 linseed varieties and found significant differences in the lignan content of varieties. Eliasson et al. (2003) have
found differences in the SDG lignan content of linseed varieties in Sweden (4 660−15 440 mg kg-1), the highest
lignan contents being found in ‘Jupiter’ and ‘Barbara’ varieties (15 440 and 15 075 mg kg-1 in whole seed). Zim-
mermann et al. (2006) have tested linseed varieties in Germany and Spain and found that the variety markedly
effects on the SDG lignan content.
A G R I C U LT U R A L A N D F O O D S C I E N C E
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302
Ta
bl
e
4.
Y
ie
ld
, o
il,
p
ro
te
in
, S
D
G
li
gn
an
, c
ad
m
iu
m
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on
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nt
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of
v
ar
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lti
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00
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pe
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um
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d
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r
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en
t
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t
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ig
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n
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on
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on
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y
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am
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1
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n
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A G R I C U LT U R A L A N D F O O D S C I E N C E
M. Saastamoinen et al. (2013) 22: 296–306
303
Table 5. Variance estimates, %, for genotypic, environmental and genotype x environment interaction for yield, oil, protein, SDG lignan,
cadmium and lead contents
Variance sourse Yield Oil Protein SDG Lignan Cadmium Lead
content content content content content
Genotype 28 55 47 42 <1 <1
Environment Location <1 <1 <1 <1 55 59
Year 54 24 14 7 3 31
Location x Year 17 <1 39 51 41 10
Total 71 24 52 58 99 100
Genotype x environment
Genotype x Year <1 16 <1 <1 <1 <1
Genotype x Location <1 4 <1 <1 <1 <1
Total <1 20 <1 <1 <1 <1
Variance total 100 100 100 100 100 100
A rather high genotypic variance estimate, 42 %, was found in terms of the SDG lignan content in the present ma-
terial (Table 5). Environmental variance was composed from the effect of year (7 %) and year x location interaction
(51 %). Genotype x environment interaction was low, < 1 %. Thompson et al. (1997) have found a significant effect
of the year on the lignan content of the ‘+Linott’ variety. It seems that the SDG lignan content is influenced both
by variety and environmental effects. The variety-by-location interaction was not significant, however (p=0.94).
Thompson et al. (1997) have found a significant effect of the location on the lignan content of three studied vari-
eties. Zimmermann et al. (2006) have found that the effect of the variety on the SDG lignan content of linseed is
greater than the effect of either the location or the N-fertilization. In order to obtain good quality linseed for hu-
man consumption it is important to choose the right high SDG lignan cultivars for cultivation.
Harmful compounds: cadmium and lead contents
Linseed absorbed rather a lot of cadmium from the soil, the cadmium content of the seed varying from 0.25 to
1.69 mg kg-1 (Table 3). The differences in cadmium content between varieties were not high and no significant dif-
ferences between varieties were found (Table 3 and 4). The genotypic variance estimate was very low, < 1 % (Table
5). ). Kymäläinen and Sjöberg (2006) have reported differences in cadmium contents between ‘Helmi’, ‘Heljä’ and
‘Laser’ linseed varieties in Finland. Li et al. (1997) have found wide variation in cadmium contents (0.14−1.37 mg
kg-1) in 74 linseed lines. Hocking and McLaughlin (2000) have found differences in cadmium contents (0.233−0.545
mg kg-1) between linseed genotypes in Australia. It has been discovered that the cadmium containing components
are a few seed proteins (7 % of proteins) present in linseed (Lei et al. 2003). Low-cadmium selection programs
have been developed for different crops (Grant et al. 2008). In durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum)
one dominant gene allele is responsible for a low cadmium content (Grant et al. 2008).
TheeEnvironmental variance component estimate was very high, 99 % for cadmium content due mainly to loca-
tion (55 %) and location x year interaction (41 %) (Table 5). Especially high cadmium contents were present in the
farm samples from Pori, on the western coast of Finland (Table 1 and 3-4, Figure 1). Cadmium contents of 4 sam-
ples from Pori varied 0.82−1.69 mg kg-1. Pori is a major metal industry centre in Finland. The higher general level
of cadmium in samples of Pori was possibly caused in part by the pollution from this industry. Kymäläinen and
Sjöberg (2006) have reported, however, almost equally as high cadmium contents, 1.3 mg kg-1 in linseed from Si-
untio, in Finlands’ Uusimaa province. They have also found differences in cadmium contents of linseed between
different years.
The highest cadmium contents (mean 1.24 and 1.69 mg kg-1) were found in the 2008 samples from Pori. The field
was fertilized by wastewater sludge about 20 years ago (Jukka Kaijanen, personal information). The 2007 cadmi-
um contents from Pori (mean 0.83 mg kg-1) were also higher than those from other locations. The fields in Pori
are old sea bed with a very low pH in the bottom soil (Table 1). The main factor relating to cadmium solubility in
soil is the pH. Cadmium solubility is increased by a low soil pH (Zhao and Saigusa 2007). Grant et al. (2000) found
A G R I C U LT U R A L A N D F O O D S C I E N C E
M. Saastamoinen et al. (2013) 22: 296–306
304
higher cadmium contents in years with higher precipitation. In Pori there was higher precipitation in 2007 than in
2008 (Table 2). The effect of precipitation was much smaller than the effect of soil type, in this case characterised
by sludge fertilization. Especially high concentrations of cadmium are concentrated in fields fertilised by waste-
water sludge (Davis 1984). Cadmium concentration is also very slowly reduced in soils fertilised by wastewater
sludge. It has been found that less than 30 % of the cadmium from wastewater sludge has disappeared from the
topsoil 15 years after sludge fertilisation (McBride et al. 1997). Mäkelä-Kurtto and Sippola (2002) have reported
low cadmium contents, averaging 0.073 mg l-1, from 705 field soil samples in Finland.
Fig. 1. Mean cadmium contents, mg kg-1, in different varieties at different locations. K=Kiukainen, Luo=Luopioinen, P1=Pori 2007, P2=
Pori 2008, Ku=Kuusjoki, Loi=Loimaa, R=Ruovesi, Y=Yläne.
The fields in Pori were situated near the sea coast about a kilometre from the delta of the River Kokemäenjoki
and some kilometres from the sea and constituted the sea bed some 100 years ago. The cultivation of the pre-
sent fields began in the 1950s. On the coasts of Finland there are so-called acid sulphate soils with high alumini-
um contents and a low pH. The pH of the fields in Pori was 7.5, 6.4 and 6.5, which does not explain the high cad-
mium contents of these Pori samples. The bottom soils of these fields have a very low pH (Table 1), however. Due
to the proximity of the sea the water level in the soils is about 50 cm deep and the water may transport cadmium
from deeper soil levels to plants, which possibly explains the high levels of cadmium in the Pori fields. The roots
of linseed may reach the depth of 60 cm (Arny and Johnson 1928). A high cadmium content in linseed in Finland
has also been reported earlier (Kymäläinen and Sjöberg 2006). Hocking and McLaughlin (2000) have found rather
large differences in the cadmium contents of linseed between locations in Australia. The higher cadmium con-
tents were caused by the use of phosphorus fertilizers containing cadmium. The present phosphorus fertilizers of
Finland from the Siilinjärvi mine have a very low cadmium content. The cadmium content of phosphorus fertiliz-
ers from Siilinjärvi (Yara Ltd.) amounts to 12 mg Cd per 1 kg P. Previously, P fertilizers containing more cadmium
were in use. According to the present results the location and cultivation history of a field were more important
factors affecting the cadmium content of linseed rather than the variety.
Based on EY N:o 1881/2006 and EY N:o 629/2008, the maximum residue limit (MRL) in the EU for cadmium in
cereals and legumes is 0.10 mg kg-1, and for rice, wheat, bran and embryos 0.20 mg kg-1 (Evira 2009). There are
no cadmium limits for linseeds in Finland. Evira, the Finnish Food Safety Authority, has, however, advised using
linseed as food only occasionally and at a maximum of 2 spoonsfuls per day, while bread may not contain more
than 10 % of linseed.
The lead contents were rather low in all samples (Table 3 and 4). No significant differences were found between
varieties (Table 2 and 3). The genotypic variance estimate was low, < 1 % (Table 5). The environmental variance
estimate composed by location (59 %), year (31 %) and location x year interaction (10 %). Lead contents from the
Pori material were not higher than those from other locations. The highest lead contents are found in the vicinity
of large roads (Lagerwerff and Specht 1970, Motto et al. 1970), and in mine and metal industry areas (Liu et al.
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M. Saastamoinen et al. (2013) 22: 296–306
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2005). In the present material no genetic variation in cadmium or lead contents was found.
Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that high soil pH and avoiding wastewater sludge fertiliza-
tion would partly prevent high cadmium levels of linseed.
Acknowledgments
This research was financed by the Rural Development Programme for Mainland Finland of EU. We thank the Sa-
takunta and Pirkanmaa Centres of Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for their financial sup-
port and participating farmers for providing seed samples and cultivation data of their crops. We thank the per-
sonal of the Kaarina unit of MTT Agrifood Research Finland for taking care of the variety trials.
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Yield, SDG lignan, cadmium, lead, oil and protein contents of linseed(Linum usitatissimum L.) cultivated in trials and at different farmconditions in the south-western part of Finland
Introduction
Materials and methods
Plant materials, trials, fields and weather conditions
Chemical analyses
Statistical calculations
Results and discussion
Yield, oil, protein and SDG lignan contents of linseed
Harmful compounds: cadmium and lead contents
Acknowledgments
References