Studying Effect of Organic Manure on Increasing of Phytoremediation by Cress

ABSTRACT: Soil contamination with heavy metals has harmful effects on human health and agricultural products. Arsenic (AS) is one of the heavy metals which are highly toxic and carcinogenic. Thus, this research was done aimed to study the effect of organic fertilizer on increasing the Arsenic absorption ability by Cress plant in the greenhouse of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center, Khuzestan, Iran. The research was performed in the flowerpot format in a completely randomized format design as factorial with three replications. The treatments included two levels of organic substance (0 and 10 tons per acre) and three levels of arsenic (0, 20 and 40 mg/kg). After full growth of the plant, the total arsenic concentrations were measured using atomic absorption device in aerial organs of the plant (shoots) and in the soil. Finally, statistical analysis and means comparison were performed using MSTAT-C software and applying DMRT method at 5% and 1% levels. The results showed that arsenic treatment effect on the element retention rate in the plant shoot was significant at 1% level. Also, the results from comparing the means of interactions showed that the arsenic absorption at 40 mg/kg treatment in the presence of organic substance increased by 22% compared to control treatment. It is noteworthy that due to the plantʹs ability to absorb arsenic and other heavy elements, planting of this plant in order to grow vegetables for food should be avoided in the lands that are likely to be contaminated with these elements.