The effects of some agrotechnical measures on the uptake of nickel by maize plants

Abstract

Nickel is a non-essential element in the nutrition of the majority of plant species and can be toxic to plants when its concentration in soils is high. Several soil properties have an effect on the uptake of this heavy metal by plants. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of fertilization, soil acidification and liming on the uptake of Ni by maize plants grown on some alluvial soils. A pot experiment with maize plants grown on soils having various properties and elevated content of Ni was set up. The experiment lasted six weeks. The roots and shoots were analyzed for the concentration of Ni. From the results of the experiment, it can be concluded that the roots had higher concentrations of Ni than the shoots. The addition of mineral fertilizers (without application of other measures) mainly decreased the concentration and uptake of Ni by the roots and the transport of Ni to the shoots. Soil acidification (to pH 4.5) caused an increase in the Ni concentration in the plants and in its removal from the soil. Liming of acid soils had a positive effect on the uptake of Ni by young maize plants. The obtained results are important from the standpoint of reducing the pollution of plants by potentially toxic heavy metals.

Nikl nije neophodan element za ishranu većine biljnih vrsta i on može biti toksičan za biljke kada je njegova koncentracija u zemljištu visoka. Nekoliko osobina zemljišta ima uticaja na usvajanje ovog metala biljkama. Cilj ovog istraživanja je bio da se utvrdi uticaj đubrenja, zakiseljavanja zemljišta i kalcizacije na usvajanje Ni biljkama kukuruza gajenim na nekim aluvijalnim zemljištima. Postavljen je ogled u sudovima sa biljkama kukuruza koje su gajene na pomenutim zemljištima. Ogled je trajao 6 nedelja. Korenovi i nadzemni delovi su analizirani na sadržaj Ni. Može se zaključiti iz rezultata ogleda da korenovi imaju veće koncentracije Ni u odnosu na nadzemne delove. Dodavanje mineralnih đubriva (bez primene drugih mera) uglavnom je smanjilo koncentraciju i usvajanje Ni korenovima kao i njegov transport do nadzemnih delova. Zakiseljavanje zemljišta (do pH 4,5) povećalo je usvajanje Ni korenovima i njegov transport do nadzemnih delova biljaka. Kalcizacija kiselih zemljišta je imala pozitivan uticaj na usvajanje Ni mladim biljkama kukuruza. Dobijeni rezultati su značajni za smanjenje zagađivanja biljaka potencijalno toksičnim teškim metalima.