Cadmium is a non-essential element with no known benefits to plants, animals an d humans. However, due to geological processes (parent rocks) and anthropogenic sources (mining and smelting, fertilizer application and waste disposal), Cd in the environment has been increasing worldwide in the last two centuries or so. U nlike other metals, Cd is mobile in soils, and can be easily transferred from so il to plants leading to food safety problems. It has been generally recognized t hat food chain is a key pathw...