Influence of liming, phosphorus fertilization and toxic doses of Cd i Zn on content of zinc in maize (Zea mays L.)

The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of toxic Zn and Cd amounts on the Zn content in maize, cultivated on strongly acidified soil under conditions of intense phosphorus fertilization (1P – 0.05 and 3P – 0.15 g P·kg-1 soil) and lime applied according to 3.0 Kh. The soils were amended with: 5 mg Cd·kg-1 or 500 mg Zn·kg-1 on the background of control object without metal addition. The response of maize was evaluated on the basis of Zn content in shoots and roots of the plant and uptake of the element. Zinc content in maize depended on experimental factors and part of plant. Liming strongly acidified soil reduced Zn concentration in maize. In objects with intensive phophorus fertilization (0.15 g P·kg-1) the aboveground parts of plant contained lower amounts of Zn than in objects with single phosphorus rate (0.05 g P·kg-1). Liming clearly affected the decrease of Zn taken up by maize, as compared to the plants from unlimed objects. In some objects the addition of Cd to the soil caused decrease of Zn taken up by tested plants in comparison to the control object. That can be explained by antagonistic interactions Cd with Zn.