Studies on the performance and phytoremediation effect of underutilized leafy vegetables in salt affected soils

Abstract

Phytoremediation is a biological approach proving the efficiency of plants to desalinize the soil. Soil phytodesalinisation is based on the capacity of some halophytes to accumulate enormous sodium quantities in their shoots. The study on the evaluation of underutilized leafy vegetables along with amaranthus in salt affected soils for leaf yield and phytoremediation effect was carried out at HC&RI (W), Trichy from 2017-19. Portulaca oleraceae (Paruppukeerai), Chenopodium album (Chakravarthi keerai) Sesuvium portulacastrum, Tetragonia tetragonioides and Amaranthus (CO2 Mulai keerai and PLR1 Sirukeerai) were utilized in the study. The leafy vegetables show significant difference in plant height, number of leaves and total biomass per plant. The leaf stem ratio showed no significant difference among the leafy vegetables. The leafy vegetables differ significantly for protein, fibre content and RWC. The yield per plot was significantly higher in Chenopodium album. The pH and EC of the soil at the start and end of the trial revealed that there was reduction in pH and EC content of the soil in the Portulaca and Chenopodium grown field indicating their phytoremediation effect. This indicated that the sodic soils can be utilized for growing the under utilized leafy vegetables like Paruppu keerai, Chakravarthi keerai, Newzealand spinach and Palak. The study also indicated that the crops Portulaca, Chenopodium and Palak are potential crops for mitigation of sodic soils. Repeated cropping of these crops until the soil reaches acceptable levels will help the farmers to utilize their lands for regular crops.