Heavy metals uptake by chilli plants (Capsicum Annuum L.) planted in rice husk char and coco peat media

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Date
2014-09
Authors
Abdalla Al-Zrog, Abdalla Mohamed
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Abstract
The current study investigated the uptake of Cadmium (Cd2+) and Lead (Pb2+) by chilli plant and their effect on the plant growth and fruit quality. Two planting media were used; rice husk char and coco peat. The experiment was conducted in a complete randomized block design (CRBD), comprising of three replications using a commercial chilli variety (Capsicum annuum L.).The selected metals were employed in various concentrations ranging from 10-30 ppm.The contents of the selected metals in different parts of the plant, namely roots, shoots and fruits were analyzed at three different stages of plant growth (vegetative, flowering and maturity) using atomic absorption spectrophotometer analysis (AAS). Results showed that the accumulations of heavy metals in roots and shoots in both the growing media increased significantly (p<0.05). The concentrations of both metals exceeded the safety limits set by Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO), 0.05 and 0.1 ppm for Cd and Pb respectively. Nevertheless, they are within the limits recommended by Malaysia Food Act. (1983) and Malaysia Food Regulation (1985) 1.0 and 2.0 ppm for Cd and Pb, resoectivly. However, the plant growth was not affected by the accumulation of heavy metals excluding plant height. The plant height significantly decreased (p<0.05) at vegetative stage in the presence of Pb+2 in rice husk char media and also at maturity stage (p<0.05) when the plant was treated with Cd2+ 30 ppm dosages. Some of the nutrients were negatively affected by the addition of Cd+2 and Pb2+. For example, in the presence of Cd+2, in rice husk char media, Mg2+, Ca2+, Fe3+ and Cu2+, were significantly diminished (p<0.05) while only Mg2+ was significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the fruits in coco peat media. For Pb+2, a notable decrease (p>0.05) was observed for Fe3+ and Cu2+ in rice husk char media, as well as Mg2+ and Mn2+in coco peat media.
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Chilli Plants , Capsicum Annuum L.
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