Heavy metals content and distribution in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) as influenced by cadmium and different potassium sources

Abstract

Despite the fact that cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential element for plants, it can influence nutrients and affect human health. Potassium (K) can influence the transportation of heavy metals (HMs) in soil-plant systems. Here, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Cd and K fertilizers on the different partitioning forms of HMs, their concentrations, uptake in the shoots and roots of Ocimum basilicum. Treatments comprised 2 levels of Cd (0 and 40 mg kg⁻¹) and three levels of K (0, 100, and 200 mg kg⁻¹) from three sources, i.e. KCl, K₂SO_4, and K-nano-chelate. 40 mg Cd kg⁻¹ increased the shoot (above ground parts) Cd concentration. Addition of K as KCl, K₂SO_4, and K-nano-chelate increased the presence of Cd in shoots by 86, 82 and 76%, respectively, compared to the control. Using the nano-chelate of K can increase the accumulation of Cd in plants grown on contaminated soils to lesser content than that of the other forms of K. Application of 40 mg Cd kg⁻¹ reduced the concentration of Zn, Cu, and Mn in the shoot, but increased shoot Fe concentration. Transfer factor (TF), which is the ratio of metal concentration in shoot to its concentration in root, of the studied HMs, was significantly affected by Cd and K treatments. Therefore, the proper form and dose of chemical fertilizers should be applied in Cd-contaminated soils.

Keywords:

• Nano fertilizer
• heavy metal transfer factor
• phytoremediation
• environmental pollution

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge financial support from the Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran and Department of Rangeland and Watershed Management, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Fasa University, Fasa, Iran. We also would like to thank dear Editor Prof. Dr. Marmiroli and the anonymous reviewers for their helpful and constructive comments.