Versatility and effectiveness of the commercial composts for ecological restoration of heavy metal contaminated soil for sunflower crop

Abstract

Uptake of heavy metals through plants from the soil and subsequent accumulation in human's tissues and biomagnifications through the food chains causes both human health and environment concerns. To decontaminate the soil, various strategies have been employed for proper crop management. A pot trial was conducted to study the ameliorative effect of commercial composts for the alleviation of metals stress in sunflower. The experiment was comprised of various factors compost (Lahore compost and GO-Organic compost), metals (Pb, Cr and Cd) with different concentrations (0, 25 and 50 ppm). Experimental treatments were arranged in three-factor completely randomized design with three replications. Results revealed that the increase in the concentrations of heavy metals in the soil gradually decreased quality attributes of the growing plants. The decreasing order for the metals stress in all the attributes was Cr > Cd > Pb. However, application of compost significantly improved all the attributes by alleviation of heavy metal stress in sunflower. The decreasing order for the compost is GO-Organic Compost > Lahore Compost. It is concluded that compost could possibly be employed for the safe cultivation of sunflower in metals spiked soil. • Commercial composts were applied for the alleviation of Cd, Pb, Cr stress in sunflower. • Experimental treatments were arranged in three-factor completely randomized design. • 50 ppm of metals stress significantly reduced the growth and other quality attributes. • Compost could possibly be used for safe sunflower cultivation in metals spiked soil.