Barley Straw Biochar and Compost Affect Heavy Metal Transport in Soil and Uptake by Potatoes Grown under Wastewater Irrigation

Wastewater can supplement freshwater in agriculture; however, it contains toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, and lead that are hazardous to humans the environment. We investigated effects of barley straw biochar, green table waste compost, their mix on metal transport soil uptake by potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) irrigated with synthetic wastewater for two years. In both years, amending compost significantly reduced (p ≤ 0.05) cadmium potato flesh, skin, roots, stems; zinc skin roots; copper flesh due increased cation-exchange capacity, dissolved organic carbon, pH. Co-amending 3% biochar bioavailability copper, contaminated soil. Relative non-amended soils, amendment affected neither iron, soils nor potatoes. It was concluded and/or produced from city could be used improve safety potatoes, depending application rate type.