Radioactive cesium contamination in persimmon tree after Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident – the difference of radioactive cesium concentration of fruit on each branch in the same tree

S. Horii, H. Sekizawa, M. Hachinohe, S. Kusaba
We investigated the variations in 137Cs concentrations in the fruits and leaves of a persimmon tree contaminated by radioactive cesium owing to the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2011. In 2018, we divided the tree into ten branches, each consisting of a branch whose basal circumference was >16 cm. We measured the 137Cs concentrations in the fruits and leaves on these ten branches individually. Although belonging to the same tree, the 137Cs concentrations in the fruits and leaves differed depending on the branch from which they were obtained. The 137Cs concentration in fruits from each branch was similar across the 2-year survey. In addition, the differences in 137Cs concentration of fruits between branches were 7.4 and 9.7 times in 2018 and 2019, respectively. A correlation was found between the 137Cs concentration of fruits and that of leaves in the same branch.
Horii, S., Sekizawa, H., Hachinohe, M. and Kusaba, S. (2022). Radioactive cesium contamination in persimmon tree after Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident – the difference of radioactive cesium concentration of fruit on each branch in the same tree. Acta Hortic. 1338, 243-248
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1338.35
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1338.35
Japanese persimmon, Cs-137, “Anpo-gaki”, dried fruit, radioactive fallout
English
1338_35
243-248

Acta Horticulturae