Reduction in Metal Toxicity by Applying Different S oil Amendments in Agricultural Field and Its Consequent Effects on Characteristics of Radish Plants ( Raphanus sativus L.)

Abstract

Raphanus sativus L. (radish) plants were grown in waste water irriga ted area of Dinapur, a suburban area in the north east of Varanasi, India. Soil and plant characteristics were compared between fertilized (farmyard manure (FYM), NPK, and FYM+N) and non- amended control treatments. Compared to the control , plants grown in FYM and FYM+N amended soil showed a decrease in concentrations of heavy metals by 14 to 32% and 14 to 17%, respectively, with corresponding yield increme nts of 60 and 49%. Plants grown under NPK amendment showed high availability of the heavy metals, which, consequently, induced the activities of antioxidant enzymes and reduced p hotosynthetic rate, growth, and yield of the plants. Therefore, application of a particular dose of FYM alone and in combination with N at regular intervals may be recommended as a cheap tec hnique for reducing the availability of heavy metals in metal contaminated fields. Keywords : Amendment, Contamination, Heavy metals, Organic a nd inorganic fertilizer, Remediation .