Demonstration gardens with EDTA-washed soil. Part III: Plant growth, soil physical properties and production of safe vegetables

In previous reports large-scale EDTA-based soil washing using ReSoil® technology was demonstrated. the current study, we established a vegetable garden with nine raised beds (4 × 1 0.5 m), three original (contaminated) soil, remediated and vitalized by addition of vermicompost, earthworms, rhizosphere inoculum. The managed in 6 rotations between July 2018 November 2019. Buckwheat sown first as green manure followed spinach, lamb's lettuce, chicory, garlic, onion, leek, carrot, kohlrabi spinach again. growth on reduced half. Throughout gardening process there were no remarkable differences bulk density, hydraulic conductivity, available water capacity, aggregate stability soil. Biomass yield plant performance, measured NDVI, also remained similar regardless treatment. Remediation Pb concentration edible parts vegetables from 76 (garlic) to 95% (kohlrabi), Zn 14 (lettuce) 76% (first cutting chicory), Cd 33% (carrot) 91% (leek second chicory). transfer metals root shoot occurred order: < Cd. bioconcentration toxic generally lower soils. Application growing that exclude metals, especially Cd, has potential for safe food production Vitalization had little effect properties