Abstract
ABSTRACT Vegetable cultivation stands out for intensive use of agricultural inputs due to high nutritional requirements of plants within a short period and their high susceptibility to pests and diseases. This study aimed to identify the main factors responsible for changes in pseudo-total and bioavailable contents of Cd, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in soils under intensive vegetable cultivation. Soil samples were collected from 146 sites in Petrópolis (RJ), Brazil, in 2017. The samples were collected at a depth of 0-20 cm in family farm systems during vegetable production period. Pseudo-total contents of toxic elements were determined by the EPA 3050B method. Geochemical fractionation procedure was used based on the BCR method. Pollution indices were also calculated. In general, vegetable producing areas presented low contamination by Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, and Ni, except for Cd, which showed severe contamination. In areas with the lowest slopes, most of the toxic elements showed increasing contents, reflecting relief influence. Overall, inadequate soil management, intensive application of phosphate, potassium, and organic fertilization, and relief were the most influencing parameters on the enrichment and bioavailability of toxic elements in the soil.
Highlights
Conventional horticulture is a highly intensive agricultural activity in its most varied aspects
Contribution of toxic elements via organic fertilization is superior to that via mineral fertilization (Figure 1), the high solubility of mineral inputs possibly caused a high influence on the availability of these elements
Areas with the lowest slope and highest topographic wetness index (TWI) values showed an increase in the contents of most toxic elements, reflecting the influence of relief
Summary
Conventional horticulture is a highly intensive agricultural activity in its most varied aspects. It includes the exploration of many plant species such as leafy, root, bulb, and tuber vegetables and various fruits. Several studies have reported accumulation of elements and/or toxic compounds at undesirable levels in agricultural soils due to intensive cultivation practices, causing soil chemical degradation and contributing to contamination of soils, water bodies, and cropped species (CHEN et al, 2015; SOUSA, 2017). Monitoring agricultural areas is extremely important, as increasing levels of these heavy metals in the soil represent an environmental problem, which may lead to unknown risks for future generations
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