EFFECT OF ZN AND CD APPLICATION ON WHEAT GROWTH AND MINERAL NUTRIENTS CONCENTRATION

Abstract

The effect of different doses of heavy metals such as zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) application on the growth of wheat plant and nutrient uptake under greenhouse conditions were investigated. Study was conducted with three replications according to the split plot design. In the study, wheat plant (Adana 99) was planted into a high calcareous soil with significantly deficient in Zn. Doses of Zn (0, 5 and 10 mg kg(-1) soil) and Cd (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg kg(-1) soil) were applied to the soils. The wheat plant was analysed for determination of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), Zn, Cd, iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu) concentrations. The research findings showed that Zn application significantly increased shoot dry weight of the plant. At 2.5 mg kg(-1) dose of Cd, plant dry weight was increased, however 5 mg kg(-1) and 10 mg kg(-1) doses of Cd decreased dry weight biomass. A significant decrease in the Cd concentration of the plant was found in samples under increased Zn dose due to Zn and Cd interaction. However, Cd application did not affect the Zn concentration of the plant.