ISSN:
1573-5036
Keywords:
compost
;
corn
;
heavy metals
;
soil extractability
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract This paper gives the results from four-year field experiments on compost application, added at the maximum rate allowed by Italian legislation (30 t/ha/y). The purpose of the experiment was to evaluate any eventual heavy metal accumulation in soil and corn plants. Cadmium in corn plants increased particularly in the roots from 0.22 mg kg−1 to 1.31 mg kg−1, concentration of Zn and Cu increased in grains, from 26.8 to 35.8 and from 2.4 to 4.2 mg kg−1 respectively. Relevant increase in the roots was detected for Zn from 34.6 to 146.8 mg kg−1. Only in the 4th year Ni concentration increases in the root portion while the content of Pb and Cr in corn was generally unaffected by the compost application. Heavy metals in the soil determined by a sequential chemical extraction, indicated that extractability changed with time. A certain increase was found from the beginning to the end of the experiment particularly for Zn, from 23.3 mg kg−1 to 45.1 mg kg−1 in extractable forms. Nevertheless the extractable amounts are rather small in respect to the total heavy metal content of compost.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02327253
