Effect of EDTA on Cadmium and Zinc Uptake by Sugarcane Grown in Contaminated Soil

Abstract

The effect of EDTA on cadmium and zinc uptake by sugarcane (Saccarumofficinarum L.) grown in contaminated soil was investigated. Sugarcane was grown in pots for 1 month and EDTA was added at concentration levels of 0(control), 0.5, 1 and 2 millimole per 1 kilogram of soil. Plants were harvested at 2, 4, 6 and 8 months. Soil samples were analyzed to determined levels of cadmium and zinc. Plants were separated into 5 parts: Leaves, bagasses, underground stem, root and juice, including the phytotoxicity. Moreover, the plants were also analyzed for cadmium and zinc accumulation. This result shows that the concentration of EDTA at 1 millimole per 1 kilogram of soil had the highest cadmium accumulation in the root of sugarcane at 21.87, 44.68, 57.52 and 41.97 mg kg^-1, at the contact time, respectively. Furthermore, the root showed the most efficient sugarcane uptake compared to the underground stem, bagasses, leaves and juice (root > undergroundstem > bagasses > leaves > juice). The EDTA concentration at 2 millimoles per 1 kilogram of soil has maximum zinc accumulation in various parts of sugarcane. The harvested time at 2 months showed zinc uptake much higher than for leaves and bagasses, while the maximum accumulation of zinc was found in roots and the underground stem at 4 months.