Phyto-availability of chromium to fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) in an ultisol

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine the influence of Cr on some agronomic characters of Telfairia occidentalis nutrient content and uptake and some chemical properties of soil. In the greenhouse trial, chromium nitrate [Cr(N0 3 ) 2 ] was applied at rates of 0, 50, 100 and 200 mg per 5 kg sieved and air-dried soil obtained from a depth of 0-15cm. The rates of 0, 20, 40 and 80 kgha -1 equivalent to pot rates were used in the field trial. Results showed that the soil used was texturally sandy loam and an ultisol as revealed by its low base saturation. In the greenhouse the soil pH, N, K, Mg, Ca, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, free Fe and Al oxides, organic carbon, effective cation exchange capacity, exchangeable acidity, amorphous Fe and Al oxides content of the soil decreased inconsistently at various levels of Cr treatments except available P, which appreciated inconsistently. With the exception of soil pH, organic carbon, available P and amorphous Fe oxide, which increased at various levels of Cr concentrations, all other soil chemical properties determined, declined inconsistently in the field trial. The amorphous Al oxide however remained stable in the field trial. The Cr content of the soil increased with the levels of Cr treatments when compared with the control in the trials. The N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, Fe, Mn and Zn content of shoot and root as well as their uptake also decreased consistently with increasing Cr treatments. In addition, the Cr content as well as uptake by the shoot and root also increased consistently with increased rates of the Cr applied in the trials with the minimum levels of the Cr content and uptake recorded at the control treatments. As the Cr concentration increased, the crude protein content of both shoot and root consistently decreased with highest crude protein content recorded in the shoot compared to the root. A decrease in the dry matter yield with increased Cr treatments in shoot and root was recorded in the trials. Results also showed that the Cr influenced the height, collar girth, leaf area and number of leaves with control treatments higher than other treatments at final harvest.

Phytoavailability of chromium in chromium salt and poultry feed

“…Control soil (Co) showed the lowest rate of increase. Similar findings were reported by Orhue et al (12) and they observed that the Cr content of the soil gradually increased with the levels of Cr treatments.…”

“…Various treatments of treated tannery effluent were found to be toxic because shoot and root length was affected and abnormal structure was observed in the root system. Orhue et al (12) recorded decrease in dry matter production of Telfairia occidentalis when the concentration of Cr increased. ANOVA test showed that there was significant effect of the treatments on either the root (p < 0.001) or shoot (p = 0.001) fresh weight productions of Kalmi at 5% level of significance.…”

The influence of zinc on early growth and nutrient uptake by pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F) in an ultisol

“…The zinc increase in the soil is because of the increase in the amount or concentration of the Zn applied to the soil. Similarly, Gundermann and Hutchinson (1995) and Orhue (2008) also found elevated heavy metals in soil contaminated with heavy metals. The increase in minerals and their uptake in root and shoot is due to the fact that Zn is not known to an antagonist at the primary point or absorption site to these nutrients except P, which have been reported by Summer and Farina (1983) and Wilkinson et al (2000) to interact with Zn either positively or negatively.…”

The effects of chitosan composites on the immobilization of chromium in soil and marigold (Calendula officinalis) growth

“…Chromium inhibits plant growth, and its excessive presence in the plant culture medium causes shortening of growing stems and reduced root growth (Gbaruko and Friday 2007). Growth reduction may be due to the mineral imbalances in the presence of high Cr concentrations (Orhue and Uzu 2011). Chromium toxicity in plants also leads to leaf chlorosis and tissue necrosis, decreased enzyme activity and photosynthesis, membrane damage, changes in chloroplast structure and plant water status (Scoccianti et al 2006;Pandey and Sharma 2003).…”