Effects of salinity and soil contaminated with sewage on cadmium uptake by corn

Environmental pollution by cadmium is one of the most hazardous challenges occurring in ecosystem. This research work was conducted to study the effect of sewage sludge and water salinity on remediation of cadmium in soil through corn (Zea mays L.). The study was carried out employing corn as crop in a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design, of 3 replications at 3 soil pollution levels of control, 20 mg.kg-1 cadmium, soil treated with sewage sludge of 20 mg.kg-1) and saline water in 2 levels (control, 3 dS.m-1). The results indicated that treated soil with cadmium and sewage sludge, decreased dry and fresh wet weight of the plant. With increase in salinity of water, dry and fresh wet weight of plant decreased. With increase in salinity, cadmium concentration present in crop shoots and roots increased by 52% as compared with control. But it could not increase cadmium uptake because of decreasing shoot and root dry matter. Sewage sludge increased the level of cadmium concentration in shoot and root by almost 12% and 15% as against treated soil with cadmium, but it could not increase cadmium uptake because of decrease in shoot and root dry matter.