Feasibility Study on Reducing Lead and Cadmium Absorption in Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) With Using Active Carbon

Abstract

In order to reducing the risk of heavy metals concentration in plant tissues which are among the edible plants by human, find the active carbon ability in heavy metals removal from Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) contaminated soils and its effect on growth and nutrient absorption of Sweet basil, this greenhouse experiment was conducted in the faculty of agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Karaj branch, Iran. The experiment was conducted in factorial in the form of a completely randomized design with four replications and three treatments: different levels of active carbon (0. 5, 10, 15 and 20 g.kg^-1 soil), Lead (0 and 4 g.kg^-1 soil) and Cadmium (0 and 0.08 g.kg^-1 soil). Results showed that active carbon significantly affected the sweet basil trials. It was observed that the Pb and Cd absorption was reduced in soil contaminated with heavy metal when active carbon was applied. The optimum results were obtained through the application of active carbon in 20 g.kg-1 soil treatment. Totally, our results showed that active carbon could improve the basil growth in heavy metal contaminated soil by inhibition of Pb and Cd translocation into the plant tissues. Moreover, it was found that Sweet basil has a high ability in heavy metals removals in polluted regions.