The phytoextraction potential of selected vegetable plants from soil amended with oil palm decanter cake

Purpose The investigation of the phytoextraction potentialof three vegetable plants grown in soils amended withdecanter cake.Method Pot experiments were conducted to investigate theresponse of decanter cake composition on the phytoextractionof metals (Mg, Zn, Ni and Cu) by lady’s finger,tomato and brinjal plants. The phytoextraction properties ofthese plants were determined by calculating the bioconcentrationand translocation factors at different decantercake amendments (10, 20 and 30%).Results Results indicated that in all three plants, there wasno transfer of excess metal ions from the control soil oramendments to the fruit portion as evidenced by bioconcentrationfactor (BCF). In addition, substantial amount ofthe metals was found to be accumulated in the roots andshoots, which depicts the phytoextraction ability of thesevegetable plants. The translocation factors (TF) of the threeplants were found to be higher than control plants. Theaccumulation of metal ions did not exceed the permissiblestandards for vegetables thus rendering the fruits safe forhuman consumption.Conclusion On the basis of significant findings, lady’sfinger, tomato and brinjal plants were not found to besuitable for phytoextraction of metals as both BCF and TFwere not greater than 1.