No abstract

Phytoremediation is an emerging technology involved in heavy metal remediation processes. It is evident from the several researches that the bioamendments greatly influences various biochemical processes and thus enhance the bioavailability of metals in the contaminated soil. It should favour greater absorption (removal) of metals by plants. Therefore, a pot experiments was conducted to examine the bioavailability and subsequent uptake of Ni by marigold during the application of different biomendments such as Farmyard manure (FYM), Composted poultry manure, Pressmud compost and Prosopis wood biochar. The result of pot experiment has shown the potential of bioamendments in enhancing the bioavailability of Ni in soil. The bioamendment application also enhanced the Ni content in plants.  A significant positive correlations were obtained between Ni uptake by plants and water soluble and exchangeable Ni in soil. This explains the role of bioavailability in plant uptake of Ni. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) and enrichment factor (EF) were less than one but the translocation factor (TF) was greater than one in plants grown on soil amended with bioamendments.  Marigold showed greater potential in tolerating and accumulating higher concentration Ni and therefore it could be integrated along with bioamendments for phytoextraction of Ni from contaminated soil.

No abstract

Field experiment was conducted during 2009 (August to December) in the Research and Development farm of M/s. Bannari Amman Sugars Distillery Division Ltd., Ealur, Erode to find out the optimum dosage of biomethanated distillery spentwash (BDS) and its effect on soil fertility and yield of maize. Different doses of BDS along with inorganic chemical fertilizers were assessed in maize (cultivar COH (M) 5). The soil nutrient parameters viz., pH, EC, organic carbon, exchangeable cations and macro nutrients were estimated at vegetative, flowering and post harvest stages along with and dry matter production, cob, grain and stover yields of maize. The results of the field experiment revealed that the application of BDS @ 100 kilo l per ha with recommended dose of NPK significantly increased the soil nutrient availability and yield parameters of the maize crop over recommended dose of fertilizer control.

A field Experiment was carried out during 2009 in the farmer’s field at Sathyamangalam, Erode with the objective to assess the effect of liquid distillery effluent as irrigation water on grain quality (reducing sugars, protein and starch) and nutrient uptake (N, P, K Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn) of maize. Treatments consisted of 50, 100 and 150 kilo l per ha of the biomethanated distillery spentwash along with recommended dose of fertilizers with and without potassium. Results of the field experiment revealed that the application of biomethanated distillery spentwash @ 100 kilo l per ha with recommended dose of NPK or NP (without K) significantly increased the grain protein content and nutrient uptake of maize over recommended dose of fertilizers.