Abstract :
Abstract — Soil contamination with Pb has become a
common problem in many farm lands and natural
ecosystems as well. Thus, the contamination of food produced
in those farms has become a serious concern. For the study,
twenty-four permanent plots were established in the forested
area. Three soil amendments or treatments: addition of
compost, mycorrhizae, compost with mycorrhizae, and a
control were used. The indicator plant used to identify the
response to soil Pb was Syzygium rotundifolium. Treatments
were applied to five randomly selected Syzygium
rotundifolium saplings of approximately 1m height and
0.015m diameter at the cotyledon scar residing in each plot.
Soluble soil Pb and soil organic matter (SOM) were
compared using soil samples collected at 0.20m depth level.
Soil samples were collected three times. Foliar samples from
“treated” saplings were tested for Pb. During the
experimental period, the selected saplings were closely
monitored and changes in health were duly recorded. Effect
of standard compost and mycorrhizae on protecting saplings
from stressful conditions was significant (p < 0.001). The
results from soil and foliar analysis revealed the status of Pb
contamination during rain which appears to have links with
the death of Syzygium rotundifolium saplings. Positive
correlations between soil Pb and leaf Pb were significant (p=
0.001). Soil amendment with compost and mycorrhizae
reduced the Pb content below the threshold levels (p =
< 0.001). Application of compost and mycorrhizae appeared
to be effective in reducing Pb toxicity in the soil. Soil
improvement with standard compost and mycorrhizae
appears to be effective in treating contaminated soils with Pb.
