PJB-2022-277
Study of biological remediation technologies in relation to the quality and quantity of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) crop along with the restoration of metal contaminated soil
Adil Shakil Ahmed, Anjum Parveen, Rafia Azmat and Amna Jabbar Siddiqui
Abstract
The discharge of heavy metals due to anthropogenic activities is the primary concern regarding soil pollution in the current advancement of the world. Therefore it is essential to design novel, cost-effective technologies for soil remediation. In the current paper, the restoration of Cadmium (Cd) metal-contaminated soil concerning the growth of the Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is reported. For this purpose, two natural bio-stimulators, i) Vesicular Arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) fungi and ii) Tea waste (TW), were used as biological remediation technology to restore the Cd-contaminated soil. These stimulators are readily available and effectively check metal’s movement from soil to roots; additionally, these are the natural sources and can be worked as natural fertilizers for plants growth. Ultimately, an organic crop free from pesticides, synthetic and hazardous chemicals can be obtained with equal yield in terms of quality and quantity. The experiment was conducted in natural habitat in three replicates for each remediator with control as standard plant. The soil pots were prepared, and laboratory-prepared Cd solution with different concentrations was added, followed by applying a) VAM and b) TW. The soil's physical properties, including, Soil pH, Electrical conductivity (EC) and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were monitored as health-associated properties of the soil. Results showed that the pH of the soil under different Cd (10ppm-50ppm) treatments increased by 13.8%, while in control plants (no Cd added), the treatment also increased the pH by 5.5%. The soil EC increased (13.3%) in Cd-contaminated soil, were found decreased in the presence of both remediators. Results revealed that the high-quality growth of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), in the presence of both remediators, indicated the effective control of the metal movements from soil to roots. It was established that the Tea waste acts as a suitable adsorbent to adsorb the metal on its surface and to facilitate the movements of the other essential ions. Furthermore, VAM also traps the metal and increases the movement of essential ions; consequently, remarkable growth of the plants exposes the soil restoration to contamination. It was concluded that both of the remediators are readily accessible and can easily be used by the farmers as the best biofertilizers to control metal’s destructive effects, followed by healthy beneficial crop
To Cite this article:
Ahmed, A.S., A. Parveen, R. Azmat and A.J. Siddiqui. 2023. Study of biological remediation technologies in relation to the quality and quantity of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) crop along with the restoration of metal contaminated soil. Pak. J. Bot., 55(5): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2023-5(9)
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