Uptake of Lead by Celosia Argentea in an Ultisol

The experiment was carried out in the greenhouse at Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City to investigate lead uptake by Celosia argentea in an experiment organized in a completely randomized design with three replicates using four levels of lead at the rates of 0, 50, 100, 200mg/ 5kg soil. Results showed that the stem girth, number of leaves, height and dry matter of the plant decreased with increased Pb application with no significant differences among the various treatments. The decrease in Al 0 , organic carbon, N, P, K, Mg, percentage base saturation, Ca and the increase in Fe 0 , ECEC and exchangeable acidity were not consistent while the soil pH and Na content of soil were fairly stable. The Pb content of the soil increased with the increase in Pb treatment. The N, P, K, Mg and Ca content of the Celosia argentea and their uptake decreased with increased Pb application with the control significantly higher than other treatments. The Na content of the plant and the uptake were not consistent. The 200 mg Pb treatment was significantly higher in Pb content as well as its uptake by shoot and root. The amount of Pb in the root was however higher than that of the shoot at various levels of treatment.