Authors : P.RAJARAMAN; P. VENKATESH; K.VIJAY; N.HASEENA

Volume/Issue : Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 12 - December

Google Scholar : http://tinyurl.com/bd654bje

Scribd : http://tinyurl.com/57mtumca

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10458288

Abstract : The effect of vermicompost in phytoremediation of heavy metals copper and chromium in a contaminated soil by the plant Sesamum indicum L was studied. The experiment has been carried for a short period to understand the process of heavy metal extraction or removal while plant growth for both metals Cu and Cr. The vermicompost-heavy metal (different doses) mixed with soil and taken as a media for plant cultivation. Among the different doses (0, 5, 10, 20, 40 ppm) the plants were shown a considerable growth till 10ppm in both metals. The length of root and shoot of plants indicates the effective growth due to the usage of vermicompost and lower heavy metal doses (0, 5, 10 ppm). But the growth rate decreases with the increased doses (20, 40 ppm) of both heavy metals Cu and Cr. Similar results were also obtained in dry weight of root and shoot of the sesame plant in high doses for both metals. Higher amount of metal accumulation in plants made an adverse effect in physiological, metabolic activities which result in shunt growth and decreased dry weight (biomass). The high concentration of metals (Cr and CO) accumulates in shoots than any other parts of the plant which clearly indicate the metals removed from the given contaminated soil medium by the plant Sesamum indicum L. According to the present study the plant S.indicum L efficiently remove the heavy metals chromium and copper from the contaminated soil and it also has the ability to accumulate the heavy in their parts while growing. The efficiency of accumulation enhanced by addition of vermicompost. Hence it is concluded that the plant S.indicum L can be used in phytoremation for heavy metal pollution.

Keywords : Phytoremediation, Vermicompost, Heavy metal, Copper and Chromium.