Effets d'amendements carbonatés et organiques sur la culture de deux légumes sur sol contaminé à Lubumbashi (RD Congo)

Effects of carbonate and organic amendments on two vegetable crops in contaminated soil in Lubumbashi (DR Congo). The risk of contamination of vegetables grown in gardens in the city of Lubumbashi due to soil pollution is high. The present study describes experiments involving the use of agronomic solutions aimed at reducing these risks. The choice of appropriate amendments (type and quantity) and the selection of plant varieties able to restrict the transfer of trace metals (TM) from the soil to plant edible organs represent some of the most conventional remediation techniques. Here, amaranth and spinach beet were cultivated in pot trials using randomized complete blocks with four replications on a contaminated soil. The pots received different doses of liming and/or organic products. Along with an effect on soil chemistry, the amendments were found to be effective in reducing the transfer of trace metals from soil to plant. The lime-based treatments were found to be more effective than compost. However TM levels in plants remained high whatever the application of amendments and the problem of food chain contamination remains.