Effect of nickel enriched sewage water on dry matter yield and biochemical characteristics of corn (Zea mays L.)

Application of Ni, increased the dry matter yield of corn upto 10 μg g⁻¹ in soil-1, 25 μg g⁻¹ in soil-2 and 5 μg g⁻¹ in soil-3. At higher rates, it significantly reduced the corresponding dry weight(s), with no survival at 400 μg g⁻¹ in light textured soils. Nickel content of corn tissue increased with corresponding increase in the Ni concentration of the soil medium. Total, reducing and non-reducing sugars of corn decreased significantly at 200 μg g⁻¹ Ni over control. However, the content of free amino acids increased, significantly, with the addition of Ni. Chlorophyll content of leaves was not much affected due to Ni application. The results of this study show that corn can sustain the additions of Ni upto 25 μg g⁻¹ soil in sandy soil and 5 μg g⁻¹ soil in sandy soil and 5 μg g⁻¹ in clay soil without any yield reductions.