title: Effect of calcium on growth performance and essential oil of vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) grown on lead contaminated soils.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate effect of calcium on growth, survival, essential oil yield and chemical compositions of vetiver grass grown on lead contaminated soils. Calcium inform of CaCO3 (0, 2000, 4000, 6000 mg Ca kg(-1)) was added to river sand soils containing 4000 mg Pb kg(-1) dry soil. Results showed that, in the absence of calcium treatment, no plants survived after 2 weeks of cultivation, while the rest grew well to the end of the experimental period (42 weeks). Calcium treatments generally resulted in a slight decrease in biomass. Interestingly, an increase in calcium over 2000 mg kg(-1) did not result in a decrease in accumulation of lead in vetiver roots and shoots. The levels of lead in roots and shoots under calcium treatments were around 2000 and 90 mg kg(-1) dry weight, respectively. The addition of CaCO3 did not improve vetiver essential oil yield and chemical composition compared to the control. A level of applied CaCO3 about half of the lead concentration in soils was sufficient to improve vetiver growth and survival, and accumulate high concentrations of lead in the roots. This finding can be applied for re-vegetation of lead contaminated soils using vetiver.
authors: School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Luu Thai
authors: LT
authors: Danh
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Truong
authors: Raffaella
authors: R
authors: Mammucari
authors: Neil
authors: N
authors: Foster
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002470:Cell Survival; D049930:Chrysopogon / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D007854:Lead; D002119:Calcium Carbonate