Survey of 17 elements, including rare earth elements, in chilled and non-chilled cauliflower cultivars

This study investigated if genetic diversity among cauliflower cultivars (white ‘Xenia’ F(1), green ‘Vitaverde’ F(1), purple ‘Graffiti’ F(1), orange ‘Sunset’ F(1), romanesco ‘Celio’ F(1)) and transplant chilling are reflected in the content of 17 elements in mature curds. Transplants at 40 days after sowing were exposed to 4 °C (chilling) and 18 °C (control) for 7 days and then planted in the field till harvest maturity. The lowest Ag, Al, Co, and Li contents were found in ‘Celio’ F(1) cauliflower, which also had the highest Ba and Sr levels. Orange curds of ‘Sunset’ F(1) were the richest in Al, and high in Li, Sc, and Sn. Chilling applied to the transplants increased Ag, Ba, Co, Sc, Sr, and Tb, and decreased the Y content of mature curds. Transplant chilling can permanently alter plant metabolism, and subsequently may affect the mineral composition of the curds.