EFFECT OF SOIL CONDITIONERS ONNi AND C;d EXTRACTABILITY AND CONCENTRATION INl PLANT GROWN IN SOME DESERT SOILS

Abstract

Four pot experiments were carried out to study the effect ofNi and Cd and their relation to the soil conditioner, and the growth of barley and sorghum plants grown on two desert soils. Also, the relation between Ni and Cd content in the desert soils and plants, at different growth stages and different metal levels in the soils, were investigated. The effect of Ni and Cd on the previous parameters were studied individual without combination with each other. Two surface samples (0 - 30 em depth) of desert soils were collected

from Nubaria and Maryut areas. These soils were evaluated from the physical and chemical stand points. Total and chemically extractable Ni and Cd, as well as total soil salinity, soil pH, soluble cations and anions, organic matter content, CaC03 % were determined. Plastic pots with 5 Kg capacity were used under greenhouse condition. In all the four

experiments, Ni or Cd was applied before cultivation at the rates of 0, I 0, 50 and I 00 mgKg•1 for Ni and 0, I 0, 20 and 30 mgKg- 1 for Cd. While the levels of the soil conditioner were 0 and 50 g/pot. The pots were first cultivated with barley then with sorghum plants. Barley samples were collected at three growth stages where grains and straw after harvesting were included. However, three cuts of sorghum plants were collected as well as the roots after the third cut. Soil samples were taken from each treatment after harvesting of barley and the third cut of sorghum plants.