Effect of Manure on the Metal Efficiency of Coriandrum sativum

A randomized poly house pot experiment was conducted in three replicates to examine the accumulation of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Ni and Cr) with the application of different amendments of manure (cow dung) (0t/h, 26t/h, 52t/h and 104t/h) along with the effect on the essential oil composition and the growth of Coriandrum sativum in contaminated soil samples. The contaminated soil sample was collected from industrial area of city Moradabad (Karula nala). The treated plants were harvested 90 days after sowing. Growth parameters such as plant height, weight and seed weight were also recorded. Metal content in plant and soil samples was analyzed by AAS. The plant material was also hydrodistilled using Clevenger apparatus and analyzed by GC and GC-MS to evaluate the effect of manure addition on the different constituents of the essential oil. The growth of C. sativum was found to be the best in two manure amendments (52 and 104t/h). In manure-amended soil, the accumulation of all metals by this plant decreased regularly. Linalool content was observed to the highest in 52t/h manure amendment without accumulation of metal in oil. Therefore, C. sativum can be grown in manure-amended contaminated soil samples as an alternative crop, as the final product (essential oil) is free from metal. Organic amendments such as cow/pig/chick manure, farmyard manure and composts are considered as low-cost adsorbents which improve water-holding capacity and reduce bioavailability of heavy metals in soil and food crops. Accumulation of toxic heavy metals in the environment and their adverse effect on both public health and the natural environment is a major environmental problem that can influence both plant productivity as well as safety as a food and feed crops. Coriandrum sativum L. is an aromatic plant belonging to the family Apiaceae and widely grown as a spice plant for its medicinal properties or for the commercial production of essential oils for pharmaceutical, perfume and cosmetic industries. Metal accumulation by C. sativum was performed by different data analysis tools, namely, transfer factor, bioaccumulation factor and translocation factor. Copper accumulation in Coriandrum sativum was observed to be more in the second cutting as compared to the first cutting in case of contaminated soil and manure amended contaminated soil.