Abstract
Metallic trace element (MTE) soil contamination is a serious problem needed to be urgently faced to ensure safe food supply and protect human health over the world. The present work is a potting experiment conducted using two levels of biochar (2.5%; 5%) and animal manure (10%; 20%) to investigate their potential role in soil improvement and development of maize seeds grown in a former iron mine soil. Results show that both amendments increased soil pH. A successful growth of maize has been observed in presence of both organic amendments. Plants were well developed with leaves which were large, green, and longer comparing to untreated contaminated soil suggesting that biochar and animal manure reduced physical symptoms of metal toxicity. Biochar and animal manure amendments increased almost all the measured morphological characteristics especially shoot length (biochar: 16.44 cm, animal manure: 18.26 cm, and untreated soil: 13.37cm) and dry biomass of shoots (biochar: 0.11 g, animal manure: 0.18g, and untreated soil: 0.05g) and roots (biochar: 0.29 g, animal manure: 0.17 g, and untreated soil: 0.16 g) as well as length and numbers of leaves and leaf area. However, more studies are needed to explore the amendment role on biochemical, physiological, and accumulation of MTE by maize.
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