Interaction Effects of Cadmium and Wheat or Alfalfa Residues on Corn Yield and Nutrients Uptake

Soils contaminated with cadmium (Cd) may cause a reduction in plants yield and increase the hazard of Cd-contaminated plants consumption by human and animals. In order to study the interaction effects of cadmium and wheat or alfalfa residues on dry matter yield (DMY), concentration, and uptake of micronutrients by corn in a calcareous soil, a greenhouse experiment was conducted in 2014. Results showed that increasing Cd levels significantly decreased manganese (Mn) uptake by corn in soil treated with alfalfa residues but had no significant effect on DMY, concentration, and uptake of other nutrients. Higher levels of wheatresidues significantly increased zinc (Zn) concentration in corn shoots, but decreased DMY, copper (Cu) concentration, and iron (Fe), Mn, and Cu uptake. Increasing levels of alfalfa residues resulted in a reduction of Mn concentration and uptake by corn.In general, addition of alfalfa residues decreased corn DMY and Cu uptake less than those of wheatresidues, but Mn and Zn concentration of corn shoots in wheatresidues treatments were higher compared to those of alfalfa residues. Addition of wheat and alfalfa residues mitigated detrimental effects of cadmium on Fe uptake by corn aerial parts.