Influence of nickel and lead applied in combination with vermicompost on growth and accumulation of heavy metals by Mentha arvensis Linn. cv. 'Kosi'

A pot experiment was conducted under glass house conditions during 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 at the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant, Lucknow, India. The study was conducted to evaluate the influence of different combinations of nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) applied with and without vermicompost, on growth and yield, as well as on concentration and accumulation of Ni, Cr and Pb by Mentha arvensis Linn. cv. ‘Kosi’. The results revealed that Ni and Pb applied at 25: 25 and 25:50 ratio with vermicompost produced 40 and 52 % higher fresh herbage and root yield, respectively over control. Equal proportions of Ni and Pb ratio (50:50 ppm) exhibited negative effect on the herb and fresh root yield especially without vermicompost. Concentration and uptake of heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Cr) and micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Mn) were higher when nickel and lead were applied in combination with vermicompost over sole supply of heavy metals (Ni, Pb). Accumulation of heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Cr) were higher (2-4 times) in root tissues than in shoot tissues of plants whereas micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Mn) accumulation follow the reverse trend.

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