Translocation of micronutrients in French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown on soil amended with paper mill sludge

Translocation of micronutrients was investigated in Phaseolus vulgaris (var. Annapurna) grown on soil amended with paper mill sludge. The plants of P. vulgaris were grown in soil amended with 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% paper mill sludge to study the accumulation and translocation of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) in plant parts (shoot, root, leaves, fruits). The different rates of paper mill sludge showed significant (P<0.01) change in pH, electrical conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic matter (OM), nitrate nitrogen (NO3 -N), phosphate phosphorus (PO4 3-P), Fe, Zn, Cd, Cu, Cr and Pb of the amended soil in comparison to their controls. The shoot, root length and yield showed significant (P<0.05) increase in lower amendment of sludge up to 20% to 40% in comparison to controls. The translocation of Fe was in order of leaves> shoot> root> fruits, for Zn, Cu and Pb it was Shoot > leaves > root > fruits and for Cd and Cr it was root > shoot > leaves > fruits of P. vulgaris. The order of accumulation of micronutrients in P. vulgaris was in order of Fe> Zn > Cd > Cu > Cr > Pb after amended with paper mill sludge. The translocation of different micronutrients was recorded to be plant parts specific. Significant positive correlation was recorded between metal accumulation in the soil and plants as well after amended with paper mill sludge.