Can Lead and Nickel Interaction Affect Plant Nutrient Uptake Pattern in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)?

Increasing lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) pollution through geogenic and anthropogenic activities is a major concern to evolve a sustainable crop and to meet the food requirement of a growing population. Interaction effects of metal ions may affect the essential plant nutrients concentration and their uptake by crops. For this, a pot culture experiment was conducted with four levels (0, 100, 150 and 300 mg kg(-1)dry soil) of each Pb and Ni in combinations that were spiked into black cotton soils (5 kg pot(-1)) of Central India. Spinach crop was raised as test crop. The essential plant nutrients and heavy metal concentration in spinach were measured. Experimental results showed that increasing the concentration of Pb in soil significantly (p = 0.05) reduced the concentration of micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn) as well as macronutrients (P, K, S) in the plant parts. Application of Ni did not significantly increase the concentration of plant nutrients in root and shoot of spinach. The magnitude of Pb toxicity was high as compared to the magnitude of Ni toxicity in both root and shoot. This type of research studies helps in the formulation of waste water management policies, mostly in developing countries to protect the natural resources with respect to sustainable crop management.