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Influence of Soil Applied Cadmium on the Growth and Cadmium Content in Indian Spinach (basella Rubra L.)

M. G. KIBRIA
Department of Soil Science, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh

M. ISLAM
Department of Soil Science, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh

M. J. AHAMMAD
Department of Soil Science, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh

K. T. OSMAN
Department of Soil Science, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Growth and accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in Indian spinach (Basella rubra L.) grown in three different textured soils treated with various levels of Cd was studied by a pot experiment. In general, Cd application caused a suppression of dry weights of leaves, stems and roots. The increasing application of Cd from 1 to 9 mg Cd kg^-1 soil significantly increased Cd concentration in leaf, stem and root from that of the control. The highest concentrations of Cd were found in roots and the lowest concentrations were found in the stems with moderate values in leaves in clay loam soil while in other two soils, the Cd concentrations in leaves and stems were almost similar being lower than those in roots. Positive correlations were found between 0.1 M HCl extractable Cd in soils after harvest and concentrations of Cd in plant parts of Indian spinach.

Keywords: Cadmium, Indian spinach, Leaf, Stem, Root

Location: Department of Soil Science, University of Chittagong, Chittagong

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Heavy metal

Objectives:

1. The present study has been designed to investigate the effects of Cd on growth of and accumulation in Indian spinach (Basella rubra L.), a very popular leafy vegetable crop in Bangladesh.

Methodology:

Pot experiment - Soils of three different textures namely clay loam, sandy clay loam and sandy loam were collected from (1) agricultural field located near new Science Faculty Building of Chittagong University, (2) agricultural field near Shahid Minar of Chittagong University, and (3) Syed Para at Hathazari Upazilla under Chittagong district from a depth of 0-15 cm on the basis of composite sampling method. Soil samples were air dried and larger and massive aggregates were broken down by gentle crushing with wooden pluck. Dry roots, grasses and other particulate materials were discarded from the soils and processed for pot experiment. A portion of the soils passed through 2 mm sieve was preserved for laboratory analyses. Characteristics of the soils are presented in Table 1. Particle size distribution was determined by hydrometer method and organic carbon (wet –oxidation method) and cation exchange capacity of the soils by the method of Jackson. Soil pH was measured by glass electrode pH meter using soil: water ratio of 1:2.5. Total nitrogen was determined by Kjeldahl method as described by Jackson. Soil samples were digested with a mixture of HNO₃ and HCl at the ratio of 1:3 for determination of total P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd and Pb. Phosphorus was determined by vanadomolybdophosphoric yellow color method in nitric acid system according to Jackson. Potassium was determined by flame photometer and Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd and Pb were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Varian spectra AA-220). A total number of 54 pots having diameter and depth 28 and 25 cm, respectively were used. Eight kilograms soils were placed in each earthen pot. The fertilizer doses of N, P, K and S (99 kg N, 18 kg P, 60 kg K and 18 kg S ha^-1) were applied from Urea, TSP, MP and zinc sulfate respectively. According to Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (2005) recommendation, half N and K, and whole of P and S were applied during soil preparation. Five healthy and uniform seeds of Indian spinach were sown at equal distance in each pot. After two weeks of seedling emergence, one seedling was kept in each pot and different levels of Cd (0, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 mg Cd kg^-1 soil) were applied in solution form as cadmium sulfate (3CdSO₄.8H₂O). Care was taken to keep uniform seedlings in the pots. Each treatment was replicated thrice and the pots were arranged in randomized block design. Remaining N and K were applied in two equal installments after 2 and 4 weeks of seedling emergence. Water was applied regularly in the pots to maintain the field capacity of the soils. Plants were harvested after five weeks of Cd application. Leaf, stem and roots were separately collected. Oven dry (65⁰ C to constant weight) weights of leaf stem and roots were recorded. Plant analysis - Oven dried (65⁰C to constant weight) and ground plant samples were digested with ternary acid (HNO₃, H₂SO₄ and HClO₄ mixture at a ratio of 5:1:2) . The concentrations of Cd in the digested solution were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Varian Spectra AA 220). Data analysis - The significance of differences between the means of the treatments was evaluated by one way analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at the significance level of 5%. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was estimated to test the relationships between metal concentrations in plant tissues and metal contents in soils.

Source of Information: The Chittagong Univ. J. B. Sci.,Vol. 5(1 &2):135-147, 2010

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The translocation of accumulated Cd in leaves was more pronounced in clay loam and sandy clay loam soil while in sandy loam soil it was mostly translocated in the stem at lower Cd application. A highly positive correlation between 0.1 M HCl extractable Cd and concentrations of Cd in plant parts of Indian spinach was found in all the three soils.

Knowledge Management: Journal