Phytoextraction of Chromium from contaminated soil by Zea mays as influenced by chelating agents

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of amendments on phytoextraction of Cr by Zea mays using CDTA, Citric acid, DTPA, NTA (at 10 mmol kg-1 soil) and FYM (3%). Dry matter yield of roots and shoots of Zea mays increased due to application of FYM and CDTA whereas reverse trend was observed in NTA, Citric acid and DTPA treated soils. Addition of sewage sludge (3% on dry weight basis) was found beneficial in improving the plant growth. Chelating agents enhanced the Cr uptake by both roots and shoots. Significantly higher values of Cr uptake by roots and shoots were observed from amended as compared to sewage sludge unamended soil. Application of CDTA was found more effective in enhancing the Cr uptake by roots and shoots of Zea mays than any other chelating agents at both the growth stages. Hence, marginally Cr contaminated soil may be remediated by adding chelating agents.