Effects of municipal waste water irrigation on availability of heavy metals and morpho-physiological characteristics of Beta vulgaris L.
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Date
2010-09
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Abstract
In the present study physiological, biochemical and growth characteristics of a leafy vegetable palak (Beta vulgaris L. var All
green H1) grown in suburban areas irrigated by wastewater were compared with those irrigated by ground water. Continuous use of
wastewater for irrigation led to the enrichment of micronutrients including heavy metals in the soil. Wastewater irrigation favorably affected
the physiological, biochemical and growth characteristics of plants, but biomass and yield did not differ significantly between the sites.
Uptake and translocation ratio of heavy metals were higher in plants grown at wastewater irrigated site. Mn showed maximum uptake
followed by Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni Cr and Cd. Plants produced more secondary metabolites and antioxidants to tolerate against the negative impact
of heavy metals at wastewater irrigated sites. Plants produced more metabolites to compensate the toxicity of metals in the area and thus
did not enhance the yield and biomass potential. The study suggests that plants growing in wastewater irrigated area have potentially
developed the defense strategy to combat against heavy metal toxicity.
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Keywords
Wastewater, Heavy metal uptake, Beta vulgaris, Antioxidant, Growth, Photosynthesis
Citation
Singh Anita, Agrawal Madhoolika. Effects of municipal waste water irrigation on availability of heavy metals and morpho-physiological characteristics of Beta vulgaris L. Journal of Environmental Biology. 2010 Sept; 31(5suppl): 727-736.