Effect of cadmium and zinc on growth of corn in a coarse texture soil (typic ustipsamments)

Abstract

In a greenhouse experiment, the effects of ten percentages of Cd and three percentages of Zn were studied on corn (Zea mays L.) growth in a Fatehpur loamy sand soil. The mean dry matter yield of corn significantly decreased beyond 30 mg Cd kg^‐1 soil. Application of 5 mg Zn kg^‐1 soil increased the corn yield and reduced the toxicity of Cd. At 50 mg kg^‐1 Zn application, the interaction effect of Cd and Zn on corn yield became antagonistic beyond a Cd level of 50 mg kg^‐1 soil. Addition of Zn significantly increased the concentration of Cd in plants, but added Cd enhanced the Zn concentration in plants only at 5 mg kg^‐1 applied Cd, and subsequent higher rates did not further influence the Zn content of plants. In soil, Zn application increased the DTPA extractable Cd at rates upto 40 mg Cd kg^‐1 soil and beyond that the extractable Cd decreased. Added Cd had no effect on the DTPA‐extractable Zn in soil.

Key words:

• Corn growth
• metals effect
• coarse soil