Application of remediation treatment to reduce lead in the soil of shallot cropping

Abstract

One of the pollutants on agricultural land is lead (Pb). Remediation is an effort to reduce contamination of heavy metals in agricultural soils. This study aimed to determine lead content in the soil through remediation with plus treatment. The study conducted at screen house on a pot scale using a completely randomized design with three replications and nine treatments, i.e. control/without organic fertilizer (P0), compost (P1), biochar+compost (P2), nanobiochar+compost (P3), nanobiochar+compost+consortia bacteria (P4), compost+consortia bacteria (P5), biochar+compost+consortia bacteria (P6), biochar+compost+botanical pesticide (P7) and biochar+compost+biological agents (P8). Biochar+compost (1:4) applied as basal fertilizer with dose of 2.5 t ha−1. Parameters observed were lead content in the soil at 7 DAA, 37 DAA and harvest, lead content in shallot plants (leaves and tubers) after harvest. Lead analysis used wet ashing method measured by AAS. The results showed the levels of lead metal in soil decreased from time to time except in compost treatment, while the levels of lead metal in shallots were still below of critical limit ≤ 0.5 mg kg−1. P3 treatment has potential to increase productivity while P4 and P0 could reduce lead soil higher than other treatment.