Evaluation of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) quality depending on various combinations of soil and water attributes

The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of quality of soil and water on spinach ( Spinacia Oleracea ) quality, cultivated in district Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, with respect to some heavy metals. For this purpose twelve samples each of water, soil and spinach were collected from four different localities of the district. Out of two sites were irrigated with tube well water (DIK Cantonment and Hathala Kulachi area), third one with canal water (Paroa area) and the fourth one with sewage water (Dappawala band area, Indus River). The quality of water and soil samples was analyzed for pH, EC, TDS, and mineral contents to assess their impact on the minerals uptake by spinach. Metals, i.e., sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni) were analyzed via atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The maximum values of metals were recorded for sewage water site followed by canal water and least for tube well irrigated sites.