Effect of EDTA on Cadmium and Zinc Uptake by Sugarcane Grown in Contaminated Soil

Pantawat Sampanpanish,Natthakan Tantitheerasak

doi:10.3844/ajessp.2015.167.174

Abstract

The effect of EDTA on cadmium and zinc uptake by sugarcane (Saccarumofficinarum L.) grown in contaminated soil was investigated. Sugarcane was grown in pots for 1 month and EDTA was added at concentration levels of 0(control), 0.5, 1 and 2 millimole per 1 kilogram of soil. Plants were harvested at 2, 4, 6 and 8 months. Soil samples were analyzed to determined levels of cadmium and zinc. Plants were separated into 5 parts: Leaves, bagasses, underground stem, root and juice, including the phytotoxicity. Moreover, the plants were also analyzed for cadmium and zinc accumulation. This result shows that the concentration of EDTA at 1 millimole per 1 kilogram of soil had the highest cadmium accumulation in the root of sugarcane at 21.87, 44.68, 57.52 and 41.97 mg kg-1, at the contact time, respectively. Furthermore, the root showed the most efficient sugarcane uptake compared to the underground stem, bagasses, leaves and juice (root > undergroundstem > bagasses > leaves > juice). The EDTA concentration at 2 millimoles per 1 kilogram of soil has maximum zinc accumulation in various parts of sugarcane. The harvested time at 2 months showed zinc uptake much higher than for leaves and bagasses, while the maximum accumulation of zinc was found in roots and the underground stem at 4 months.

Highlights

Heavy metal pollution in soil has become a wide spread global problem, which can threaten ecosystems and human health
The contaminated soil was collected in Maesot district, Tak province, Thailand
The effect of EDTA on cadmium and zinc uptake by sugarcane (Saccarumofficinarum L.) grown in contaminated soil was investigated. This result shows that soil cadmium and zinc contamination tends to decrease when harvesting times increase

Summary

Introduction

Heavy metal pollution in soil has become a wide spread global problem, which can threaten ecosystems and human health. In northwest Thailand, cadmium (Cd) contamination in paddy field water and soil has become a growing concern This affects agricultural products, especially rice, garlic and soybean. Cadmium contamination in soil and plants has increased to such an extent that it does not meet the safety standard set by the codex committee for food additives and contaminants (Codex, 2007). This causes are attributed to mining and human activity which have an impact on human health and the food chain (Luc et al, 2012). The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of EDTA on total Cd and Zn in contaminated soil and leachate at different EDTA application rates as well as determine the efficiency of total Cd and Znuptake by sugarcane grown in contaminated soil

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion