Heavy metal accumulation in sugar beet plants grown in soil enriched with sewage sludge and municipal solid waste compost

A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effects of soil application of sewage sludge and municipal solid waste compost on the accumulation of heavy metals in sugar beet plant. Pots containing different amounts (corresponding to 75 and 150 t/ha) of sewage sludge and municipal solid waste compost were used to grow sugar beet plants under greenhouse conditions. Plant dry weight, sugar rate and Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd and Cr contents of sugar beet plant were determined after harvest. It was found that the sewage sludge and municipal solid waste compost applications brought about a sharp increase for heavy metals in the plant material. Dry matter and heavy metal contents of sugar beet were increased by increasing applications rates of sewage sludge and municipal solid waste compost. In all treatments, the concentrations of heavy metals in plants were below the phytotoxic levels. In the sewage sludge and municipal solid waste compost treatments, according to background and toxicity limits, heavy metal status of leaves were ranged in normal and high levels. But in the highest sewage sludge treatment, Pb concentrations in sugar beet were exceeded foodstuff index and limit values for edible root plants and feed crops.