Abstract: Five main leaf vegetable cultivars of Guangdong province were grown in nutrient solution with several levels of Pb , Cd and Cr to evaluate the effect of heavy metals of Pb , Cd and Cr on the vegetable growth and their uptake. The obtained results showed that heavy metals of Pb , Cd and Cr affected greatly on the growth of vegetables. The effect varied significantly with different cultivars , the sorts and levels of heavy metal . The heavy metals decreased the yield of five vegetables in following order : lettuce > edible amaranth > leaf mustard > water spinach (swamp cabbage) > flowering Chinese cabbage. The inhibiting effect of three heavy metals on five vegetables cultivars had a toxicity order : Cr > Cd > Pb. The amounts of residual heavy metals in eatable organs of vegetables were found to be in following order : edible amaranth > lettuce > flowering Chinese cabbage > water spinach (swamp cabbage) > leaf mustard. The cumulated rate of heavy metals : Cd > Cr > Pb. The vegetable yield decreased and the contentration of heavy metals increased when the levels of three heavy metals increased.

Key words: Heavy metals, Vegetables, Growth, Accumulation