Productivity and Chemical Composition of Tomato and Cucumber Plants Growing in Nickel‐Polluted Soils Fertilized with Biona‐312

Abstract

Abstract: The effect of ion‐exchange substrate Biona‐312 additions to nickel (Ni)–polluted soil on yield and mineral composition of cherry tomato and cucumber was evaluated. The plants were grown on the following media: untreated soil (the control series) and soil with added Ni (40 and 100 mg of Ni kg⁻¹, respectively) as well as Biona‐312 (2 and 5% mass additions, respectively). In the presence of 40 mg of Ni kg⁻¹ of soil, the plant yield did not change significantly, whereas in conditions of 100 of mg Ni kg⁻¹, it decreased significantly. Biona‐312 application on Ni‐polluted soil increased the productivity of both species. The content of macronutrients in the plant biomass varied depending on the growth stage, Ni level, and Biona‐312 dose. For both species, higher Ni content was observed in the aboveground organs than in roots, but tomato contained more Ni than cucumber. Biona application reduced the Ni content in plant biomass of both species after being introduced into soil with a higher Ni level.

Keywords:

• Ion‐exchange substrate
• macronutrients
• nickel toxicity
• plant nutrition