Influence of EDTA and Phosphorus Levels on Dry Matter Yield and Metals Relationships of Maize Root and Shoot in a Lead-Polluted Calcareous Soil

ABSTRACT:A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA), and phosphorus (P) levels on the dry matter yield and metals composition of maize root and shoots in a Pb-polluted calcareous soil.Application of P levels increased root dry weight of maize in the absence or the presence of EDTA. Application of most P levels increased shoot dry weight of maize. The effect of EDTA on root and shoot dry weight of maize was negligible. No definite trend was observed in the rates of Cu, Mn and Zn uptakes of maize root following P addition. Overall, EDTA addition increased Cu, Mn and Zn uptakes of maize root in most observations. Significant correlation coefficients were observed between Pb uptake with the uptakes of Mn, Zn and Cu in maize root demonstrating the presence of the synergism between the absorption of Pb with those of Zn, Cu and Mn. Shoot dry weight showed negative correlations with Pb concentration and uptake of maize shoot demonstrating the negative influence of Pb entered into maize shoot on the growth and development of maize tissues. Unlike to root, there were no significant correlations between Pb uptake with the uptakes of Zn, Mn and Cu in maize shoot demonstrating the dissimilarities in the translocation from root to shoot of Pb with Zn, Cu and Mn. Root Pb uptake was significantly correlated with shoot Pb uptake which revealed that Pb translocation from root to shoot increased as the amount of Pb absorption by root increased.