Abstract

This investigation was aimed to assess the heavy metals accumulation in soil and agricultural crops viz., Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) irrigated with glass industry effluent. The glass industry effluent was considerably loaded with various plant nutrients and heavy metals. The effluent irrigation significantly (P<0.05/P<0.01) increased Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn, total bacteria, total fungi, actinomycetes and yeast of the soil used for the cultivation of B. juncea, T. aestivum and H. vulgare. The enrichment of different heavy metals were recorded in the order of Cr>Pb>Cd>Mn>Zn>Cu>Fe for B. juncea, Zn>Cd>Cu>Cr>Pb>Fe>Mn for T. aestivum and Zn>Cu>Cd>Fe>Mn>Pb>Cr for H. vulgare irrigated with glass industry effluent. The translocation of different metals in different parts i.e. root, stem, leaves and fruits were observed in the order of leaves > stem > root > fruit for Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn; stem > leaves > root > fruit for Cd, root > stem > leaves > fruit for Cr in B. juncea, T. aestivum and H. vulgare irrigated with glass industry effluent. Therefore, glass industry effluent irrigation added heavy metals in the soil and B. juncea, T. aestivum and H. vulgare.

Keywords: Accumulation; Agricultural crops; Enrichment factor; Glass industry effluent; Heavy metals; Soil