Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Agriculture - Department of Soil Sciences

A pot experiment with Zea mays (single cross-2030) was conducted to study the influence of phosphorus sources, levels and compost additions on growth, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) contents of zea mays, as well as the Cd,Pb and Zn-DTPA extractable concentrations in the soil rhizosphere of three contaminated soils. It was observed in the three soils used in this study that shoots, roots and whole plant dry weight of Zea mays significantly increased as a result of compost application compared to without compost application. With the three soils used in the study, results showed that plants grown in soils amended with compost and supplied with rock phosphate (RP) at the highest phosphate level recorded the highest shoots, roots and whole plant dry weight compared to those supplied with single super phosphate (SSP). Cadmium, lead and zinc contents of shoots & roots of zea mays plants were significantly reduced as a result of compost application compared to without compost application. Rock phosphate addition significantly reduced Cd, Pb and Zn contents of shoots and roots of zea mays plants compared to single supper phosphate for the three soils used

Issued also as CD