PJB-2023-473
Hazardous effects of chromium in vegetables grown in excessive application of organic manure and mineral fertilizers with different water sources
.Mehwish Amjad, Zafer Iqbal Khan, Kafeel Ahmad, Muhammad Nadeem and Shahzad Akhtar
Abstract
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Food security is a significant focus for quantitative and qualitative global development. Chromium is essential to life but also toxic in specific frequencies and concentrations (including humans). While its existence in wastewater and fertilizers can benefit land when used in low quantities, it can also pose a prolonged risk to plants, water resources, animals, and humans. Consequently, a study was conducted to explore the potential ramifications of chromium in wastewater and soil treated with fertilizers, with a specific focus on the ability of Cr to migrate from contaminated soil into vegetables (Daucus carota, Brassica oleracea, Spinacia oleracea, Raphanus sativus, Solanum tuberosum, Pisum sativum). The highest concentration of chromium (Cr) was observed in treatment T8, which involved the combined use of poultry manure and wastewater with a higher pollution load index (2.24). D. carota had the most increased uptake of Cr (4.09) at T8 during the second growing year out of six regularly used vegetables with 12 treatments. BCF < 1 means that less movement of metal from soil to vegetables. Enrichment factor values (1.082) exceeding 1 were observed, indicating that human activities have a discernible impact on the accumulation of heavy metals in the soil. The DIM for chromium was less than 1, indicating that consuming these vegetables will not cause higher level of toxicity for consumer. Long-term applications of wastewater and fertilizers can lead to increased concentrations of chromium (Cr) in the soil, vegetables, and finally in the individuals who consuming these vegetables. This means that, despite the many advantages of wastewater and fertilizers, heavy metals and metalloids in wastewater, fertilizers, soil, and vegetables should be strictly and regularly examined. Clear laws and regulatory control are required to reduce agricultural soil pollution from wastewater and fertilizer application.
To Cite this article:
Amjad, M., Z.I. Khan, K. Ahmad, M. Nadeem and S. Akhtar. 2025. Hazardous effects of chromium in vegetables grown in excessive application of organic manure and mineral fertilizers with different water sources. Pak. J. Bot., 57(1): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2025-1(3)
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