1ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai, Tamil Nadu-600028
2ICAR-National Research Centre for Grapes, Pune, 412 307
Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012
*Corresponding author's E-mail: manjaiah@iari.res.in
Online published on 10 August, 2016.
A pot culture experiment was conducted to assess the effect of bentonite application on heavy metal uptake by amaranth (Amaranthus blitum cv. Pusa Kirti). Amendment of soil with bentonite @ 2.5% significantly improved the plant growth by 76.5 and 41.7% in first and second harvest, respectively. The metal concentration of amaranth reduced by 6.5 & 21.2% for Zn, 30.5 & 29.9% for Cu and 34.4 & 40.2% for Ni at first and second harvest, respectively on application of 2.5% bentonite. Amending the soil with bentonite (2.5%) significantly decreased the bioconcentration factor (BCF) of metals by 74 and 28% for Zn, 38 and 36% for Cu, 44 and 34% for Ni at first and second harvest, respectively. The hazard quotient (HQ) for metal uptake through consumption of amaranth was significantly reduced by application of bentonite @ 2.5% as it immobilises heavy metals in polluted soil.
Amaranth, bentonite, heavy metal, hazard quotient, remediation
