Importance of FYM and vermicompost on NPK content and uptake by rice (Oryza sativa) in chromium contaminated soil

Abstract

Chromium is a serious heavy metal and it is considered as an environmental hazard. The contamination of the soil environment with chromium compounds is more and more frequently occurring problem throughout the world. Chromium (Cr) contamination in soil is a growing concern in sustainable agriculture production and food safety. Keeping these points in view pot experiment was conducted in net house of Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi during 2016-17 to study the effect of FYM and vermicompost on nutrients content and uptake by Rice (oryza sativa) in chromium contaminated soil. Five levels of chromium viz. 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 ppm with and without vermicompost @ 5 ton ha-1 and farm yard manure @ 10 ton ha-1 were taken. The NPK content of rice straw and grain decreased with increase in the levels of chromium i.e., maximum decrease was observed in treatment Cr80. However, the treatment of Cr20 and Cr 40 were found statistically at par with treatment Cr0. Increasing chromium levels resulted in significant increase in NPK content of the rice straw up to the treatment Cr20 tested in the experiment and then reduced with an increase in chromium concentration. NPK content in grain and straw was found significantly higher under use of organic sources. The highest NPK content found in vermicompost treated pots followed by FYM treated pots. Our results confirm that the rice can play an effective role in bioremediation of soils polluted with chromium, particularly in supplementation with organic amendments such as farm yard manure and VC.