Accumulation and distribution of minerals and heavy metals in sugar beet and carrot plants grown on soil amended with filter mud cake

Abstract

Filter mud cake (FMC) collected from Qus sugarcane factory at Qena in Egypt was applied in a pot experiment to investigate the uptake and distribution of certain mineral nutrients and some heavy metals in different organs of both experimental plants. The filter mud cake was mixed with sand at three levels: 10%, 30% and 50% and the sand was used (without FMC) as control. Results showed that amendment the sandy soil with filter mud cake resulted in increasing in K and, Ca contents in both experimental plants. Moreover, Mg content had irregular behavior by decrease or increase. Na content-in contrast to Ca and K showed significant decrease of carrot and sugar beet plants. The distribution of Na and K was in another way, and mostly Na accumulated in roots while more K transported into shoots of both plants. Results indicated also that Na/K ratio was higher in plant roots than in shoots. Data revealed that FMC stimulated the accumulation of Cl, PO4 and SO4 content in two tested plants as compared with control. Mg, Ca, Cl, SO4 and PO4 distributed in shoots and roots with significant change from the roots toward the shoots. Generally, FMC treatments increased Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd accumulation in carrot and sugar beet plants compared to control. Correlation analysis between the contents of heavy metals in both organs of carrot and sugar beet plants and that in the sand-FMC mixture showed different relationships.