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Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization for some Atriplex plants Grown on Metal-contaminated Soils

Research Authors
Mamdouh A. Eissa , Ezzat M. Ahmed
Research Abstract

There is little information available about the impact of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on the uptake of metals by Atriplex plants. A series of pots experiments were conducted to define the metals uptake response of four Atriplex species to urea (U) and superphosphate (SP) fertilization. The studied Atriplex species were river saltbush (A. amnicola), wavy saltbush (A. undulata), quail saltbush (A. lentiformis), and old man saltbush (A. nummularia). The growth and metals uptake of Atriplex species were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the fertilizer treatments. U reduced the soil pH by 10% compared to the control. SP reduced the availability of Zn, Pb, and Cd by 24, 16, and 28% compared to the control. U increased the shoots Zn and Pb by 16 and 20% compared to SP. The combined application of U+SP reduced the Zn and Pb concentrations in the shoots by 10 and 13% compared to U alone. U increased the root-to-shoot transfer of Zn and Pb by about 30 and 49%. Root phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) limit the translocation of metals to the Atriplex shoots and this may be by the precipitation of the metals in the roots. The study clearly showed that it is feasible to apply P fertilizer to alleviate root-to-shoot transfer of Zn and Pb. Moreover, pure N application should be avoided to minimize the occurrence of high levels of Zn and Pb in the Atriplex shoots.

Research Department
Research Journal
Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International
Journal
Research Member
Research Publisher
Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Research Rank
1
Research Vol
Vol.25, No 4
Research Website
NULL
Research Year
2016
Research Pages
P:431-442