EFFECTS OF ZEOLITE AND CADMIUM ON GROWTH AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SOYBEAN (Glycine max L.)

Abstract

 There are areas in the world which are polluted by trace metals some of which may not be degraded by biotic process. Some of these metals might enter into surface and/or underground water resources thus causing serious human and animal health problems. In recent years, natural amendments, such as the use of zeolite, have been widely used to address trace metals contamination. In the present study the effect of zeolite on the growth and nodulation of soybean (Glycine max L.) was evaluated. Treatments consisted on factorial combination of three levels of zeolite (0, 2 and 5 g kg-1) and three levels of cadmium (0, 10 and 50 mg kg-1). Cadmium application significantly decreased shoot and root dry weight while its concentration in plant parts was increased. In addition, cadmium application decreased number and dry weight of nodules, and N, K, and Mn concentrations. On the other hand, zeolite application markedly increased number and dry weight of nodules and N, P, K concentrations in shoot, Mn and Cu concentrations in shoot and root. The results from the present study can be used for predicting the efficiency of zeolite application for the remediation of contaminated soils.