Investigation of chelate and microbial fertilizer assisted phytoremediation efficiency of onion (Allium cepa L.) in lead contaminated soils

Abstract

In recent years. Since lead is one of the most widely used elements in industry, it is detected in soil pollution. In recent years, phytoremediation has been preferred as an alternative method for the removal of soil pollution and phytoremediation protects the biological properties and physical structure of the soil. In this study, the effects of EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) and humic acid chelating agents and microbial fertilization on phytoremediation efficiency and plant growth parameters of Allium cepa L. (onion) in lead contaminated soils were investigated. Accordingly, it was determined that root TI values were higher in the pots where EDTA + Microbial Fertilizer combination was applied. In the pots where humic acid was applied, root TI values were higher. Again, leaf wet weight and dry weight TI values were higher in the pots where EDTA + Microbial Fertilizer combination was applied. It was determined that microbial fertilizer increased the tolerance index of the species. According to Pb values in A. cepa, it was found in root, bulb, leaf and total plant (28,93 mg kg-1, 36,16 mg kg-1, 262,56 mg kg-1, 327,65 mg kg-1) in pots with 5 mmol kg-1 EDTA addition, respectively. High accumulation (16.19 mg kg-1) was found at 10 mmol kg-1 in total plant in pots with humic acid addition. It was found that the plant tended to accumulate Pb more in its leaves. BCF values of EDTA and Humic Acid chelates were found to be greater than 1. BCF values of Allium cepa grown in chelate + microbial fertilizer combination were found to be less than 1. As a result, it can be said that the addition of microbial fertilizer decreased the Pb uptake of the species.