Abstract
The efficiency of additive agents to remove copper from Cu-mixed soils by Brassica juncea and Zea mays L. was studied. The plants were grown in decomposed granite soil (Regosol) and volcanic ash soil (Andosol) for 3 weeks. To simulate actually contaminated soil, copper contents of 25 and 250 μg Cu g^<-1> were prepared for Regosol and Andosol, respectively. EDTA was found to be an excellent additive agent to raise the availability of Cu in soils. The effect of EDTA on Cu absorption by plants was limited in Regosol. On the other hand, in Andosol the Cu accumulation in shoot in Z. mays for the 100 mM EDTA treatment was 3.7 times larger than that for the 0 mM EDTA treatment. The Cu absorption by B. juncea was not affected by the EDTA addition to Andosol. It was observed that the effect of EDTA on Cu absorption into the vegetable parts fluctuated not only with EDTA concentration, but also with plant species.
