Effects of farm yard manure on cadmium and lead accumulation in Amaranth (Amaranthus oleracea L.)

Abstract

Two pot experiments were carried out to study the effect of farm yard manure (FYM) on Cd and Pb accumulation by Amaranth. Six levels of FYM (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20 t ha-1) were applied to Cd and Pb treated soil separately in the pot experiments. The weight of the shoot and root of Amaranth significantly increased following the application of FYM to both Cd and Pb treated soil. The application of FYM in soil significantly decreased Cd and Pb content in Amaranth. Cadmium content in the shoot and root gradually decreased with the increase in level of FYM up to 20 t ha-1. On the other hand, FYM at 10 t ha-1 and above drastically reduced the Pb content in both parts of Amaranth. The contents of both Cd and Pb in the shoot and root of Amaranth showed a significantly negative correlation (r = -0.84 to -0.87) with the rates of FYM applied to the soil. Key words: Farm yard manure (FYM), heavy metal, phytoremediation, cadmium (Cd) uptake, lead (Pb) uptake.