| To investigate the process of methylmercury（MeHg） accumulation in wheat seeds, a green-house study was designed, and the MeHg levels and MeHg transfer in specific organs of wheat plants during a full wheat growing season was investigated. The results suggested that MeHg in soil was first absorbed by roots and then transferred gradually to the above-ground organs. During the full wheat growing season, the MeHg level increased in the seeds, and it remained constant in the stems and leaves after a period of increase. The MeHg levels remained constant in soil and the roots during the growing season. In the flowering stage, the majority of MeHg in the wheat accumulated in the stems and leaves. MeHg was transferred to seeds from stems and leaves and eventually accumulated in its edible parts. At the end of the filling stage, about half of the MeHg accumulated in the seeds of the wheat. This study supports that MeHg accumulation in seeds exists in wheat and probably other terrestrial plants, although the accumulation mechanism of wheat for MeHg is different from aquatic plants like rice. |
