Interaction of Chromium and Copper With Nutrient Elements In Maize (Zea mays L. cv Barnali)

Abstract

To investigate the uptake behaviour, interactions with nutrient elements and growth of maize plants, a pot experiment was conducted under controlled conditions using a stimulated nutrient culture solution with different chromium (0.0, 0.5, 0.8, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 ppm) and copper concentrations (0.0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8 and 1.0 ppm). Fresh and dry weight of root and shoot showed significant (P= <0.001) decrease with increase of the concentration of Cu and Cr in the nutrient solution. At the highest concentration of Cu (1.0 ppm) and Cr (4.0 ppm), the decrease of the dry root and shoot presented the value of 82% and 65% for Cu and 82% and 68% for Cr, respectively. Threshold value at 0.5 ppm concentration dry weight of maize plant showed a significant (P=<0.001) decrease for both Cu and Cr treatments. Application of Cu and Cr also had antagonistic effect against the uptake of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Fe. The threshold value was 0.5 ppm for Cr and Cu in case of uptake of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Fe. Plants grown in the higher concentration of Cu and Cr rather than the 0.5 ppm of nutrient solution significantly increased the accumulated Cu and Cr in both the root and shoot of maize plants.