Reduction in Metal Toxicity by Applying Different Soil Amendments in Agricultural Field and Its Consequent Effects on Characteristics of Radish Plants (Raphanus sativus L.)

Raphanus sativus L. (radish) plants were grown in waste water irrigated area of Dinapur, a suburban area in the north east of Varanasi, India. Soil and plant characteristics were compared between fertilized (farmyard manure (FYM), NPK, and FYM+N) and non-amended control treatments. Compared to the control, plants grown in FYM and FYM+N amended soil showed a decrease in concentrations of heavy metals by 14 to 32% and 14 to 17%, respectively, with corresponding yield increments of 60 and 49%. Plants grown under NPK amendment showed high availability of the heavy metals, which, consequently, induced the activities of antioxidant enzymes and reduced photosynthetic rate, growth, and yield of the plants. Therefore, application of a particular dose of FYM alone and in combination with N at regular intervals may be recommended as a cheap technique for reducing the availability of heavy metals in metal contaminated fields.