Pb absorption and accumulation in tea plants.

The characteristics of Pb absorption and accumulation in tea plants were studied by the analysis of Pb concentration in different parts of tea plant,in shoots of various seasons,cultivars and ages of tea plant.The results showed that feeding roots had the highest Pb concentration,followed by bud producing stems,lateral branches and old leaves,tender shoots and tea seeds were the lowest.Pb concentration in shoots and leaves increased with their maturity.Tea mature leaves and shoots had obvious seasonal change in Pb concentration with the highest during April to June and with the lowest in July for mature leaves,and spring autumn summer for shoots.A significant correlation was found between shoots and mature leaves in Pb concentration.A tendency was also found that the higher Pb concentration in shoots from the older tea plants.The Pb concentration in shoots from various tea cultivars was different to some degree.