Effects of Vermicompost Application on Growth and Heavy Metal Uptake of Barley Grown in Mudflat Salt-Affected Soils
China is facing a shortage of arable land resources, and the mudflat salt-affected soil along the east coast of China is an important reserve arable land resource. In this study, we conducted a randomized field trial to investigate the effects of vermicompost application rate (0, 25, 50, 125, and 250 t ha−1 ) on barley growth and heavy metal accumulation in mudflat salt-affected soil. We found that vermicompost application decreased bulk density, electrical conductivity (EC), and pH of mudflat salt-affected soil while increasing its organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus contents. With the increase in vermicompost application rate, the yield of grain and total biomass of barley plants increased. The yield of grain in the vermicompost application treatments of 25, 50, 125, and 250 t ha−1 increased by 66.0%, 226.0%, 340.0%, and 512.0%, respectively, relative to the control. In addition, the concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, and Zn) in mudflat salt-affected soil and barley plant increased as the vermicompost application rate increased.
Duke Scholars
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Related Subject Headings
- 3004 Crop and pasture production
- 3002 Agriculture, land and farm management
- 0703 Crop and Pasture Production
- 0502 Environmental Science and Management
Citation
Published In
DOI
EISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Related Subject Headings
- 3004 Crop and pasture production
- 3002 Agriculture, land and farm management
- 0703 Crop and Pasture Production
- 0502 Environmental Science and Management