ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF HEAVY
METAL CHARACTERIZATION IN CALCAREOUS
SOILS FOR CROP PRODUCTION
Amany, M. Hammam and Sahar, A. Othman
Central Laboratory for Environmental Quality Monitoring (CLEQM), National Water
Research Center (NWRC), Barrage, El-kanater, Qalubiya, Cairo, Egypt.
Email: amany2010@hotmail.it – saharabdelaziz_712@yahoo.com
Key Words: Heavy Metals – Calcareous Soil - Soil Physical and
Chemical Properties – Tillage Method heavy metal,
calcareous soil, Alexandria Governorate
ABSTRACT
The amount of water is considered as the restrictive factor for the
growth of plants and the productivity of yields. Plant growth is directly
influenced by soil water stress, which depends on different soil
potentials. Faba bean and Zea maize are considered from the most
important irrigated arable crop in Egypt. The total cultivated area of bean
and maize during the growing season is 306626 and 1623201,
respectively. In the absence of irrigation, variation in the supply of soil
water is known to be the primary cause of variation in yield. The aim of
the work was to study physical and chemical characterization in order to
manage heavy metals in calcareous soil and improve quality of soil in
situ.
Heavy metal measurements were performed for samples of
calcareous soils from Abu Massoud village in Maryout area Cairo-
Alexandria Highway. Two field experiments were conducted, to study
the impact of two tillage depths (20, 60 cm) on heavy metal
accumulation, growth parameters yield and yield value of bean and
maize.
The results obtained showed higher environmental and economic
values for growth and yield parameters, with increased tillage depth for
both crops during both growing seasons. Bean and Maize yield were
increased with an increased tillage (at 60 Cm depth).
This study concluded that toxic heavy metals in the soil should be
taken into consideration as pollutants, as well as their biological
availability and potential toxicity to plants, and then its transfer to
ecosystems and the possibility of treating it in-situ.
1. INTRODUCTION
Water shortage is considered a key risk for the twenty-first century
(UNESCO 2012). It is the most limiting crop production factor as well as
it is a vital and important resource in Egypt. So, productivity increasing
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (9) 2020 146-163
raises the level of economic prosperity and protecting natural resources
{Koç, 2019}.
Identification of yield-limiting constraints in the plant–soil–
atmosphere continuum is the key to improved management of plant water
stress that targeted management of both plant–soil interactions is still at
infancy (Gernot etal., 2015).
Therefore, the reason for reducing yields is the small amount of
moisture content provided to crop roots in the arid and semiarid areas. If
rooting depth increases, the available moisture will increase and some
instances showed deep tillage can enhance water penetration to deeper
depth. (Muqaddas et al., 2005).
Sub soiling can beneficial, either to increase soil porosity or to split
the hard pans that reduce soil permeability. Also, tillage is considered the
soil in order to establish soil physical conditions that are appropriate for
plant growth (Muqaddas et al., 2005). On the other hand, Agodzo and
Adama, (2003), refer to the essential function of tillage in reducing soil
mechanical resistance and also, tillage help earths worms in producing
many bio channels and micro pore continuity which were considered
strongly helpful in crop growth.
Jabro, 2010 has recently used deep tillage practice to enhance
plant growth due to its reducing soil density, lowering soil resistance to
root elongation, improving soil permeability to enhance water permeation
and increase the availability in the B Horizon by sub soiling (Khurshid
et al., 2006).
Gregor and Christoph, 2009 studied the impact of different soil
tillage on the density, biomass, and community composition of
earthworms that they showed density, biomass, and community
composition of earthworm populations varied in relation to the type of
soil tillage used, modifications in the vertical distribution of SOC and
varying potentials for mechanical damage of earthworms by tillage.
In calcareous soils, carbonate may also be involved as a cementing
agent or resulting in causing of chemical environment to be undesirable
for root growth. However, unless the composition of the carbonate varies
in the proportion of carbonate between the various layers, it would seem
difficult to be involved because the roots are capable of growing in the
calcareous soil of gravel and stones where the levels of carbonate are
relatively high. In order to define the root restriction mechanisms in the
soil, more studies focused on the upper levels of the soil profile were
necessary (Munoz-Romero et al., 2010).
Zhang and Fang, 2007, suggested that the bulk density of the (0-
10 cm) soil layer was slightly decreased by sub-soiling (0.04-0.09 g.cm-
3) and that of the (10-30 cm) soil layer by (0.19-0.32 g.cm-3). Due to
sub-soiling, the accumulated moisture in the 60 cm soil profile was
147 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (9) 2020
increased by 15-30 % and led to an increase in wheat grain yield. As a
consequence of increasing rooting volume after deep tillage, they
attributed the increase in grain yield to the improvement in nutrient and
moisture utilization.
The texture and physicochemical characteristics of the soil
influence the quality of their heavy metals and directly or indirectly
regulate the form of the reactions on the surfaces of their constituent
particles (Salman et al., 2019).
On the other side, as pollutants, heavy metals in the soil are
allowed their bioavailability and toxic effects to plants, ecosystems and
humans (Brian, 2013). Many of the heavy metals, however, are actually
micronutrients that are necessary (in small amounts) for normal plant
and/or animal growth. Such metals are the trace elements which are
important for higher plants: copper, manganese, iron, aluminum,
molybdenum, nickel, and zinc (Farooq, 2013).
Deficiencies and toxicity of micronutrients adversely affecting the
plant cause decreases in the rate of growth (and yield) and death of the
plant in extreme cases. The adverse effects of deficiencies in critical
heavy metals are more economically significant in many areas of the
world than pollution caused by soil contamination. (Brian, 2013).
The research aimed to study the effect of tillage (20 and 60 cm) and
deep tillage (60 cm) depths on some heavy metal’s accumulations on
plant parts and yield parameters for bean and maize crops.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1 Study Area
The study was carried out is located at Abu Massoud village (figure 1) in
Maryout area - about 170 Km from Cairo, 5 Km to the west of Cairo –
Alexandria Desert Highway.
Fig. (1). Location of Abu Massoud village in Maryout area.
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (9) 2020 148
2.2 Sampling Program
Soil samples were collected at sites corresponding to tillage depth
treatments (three replicates). Sampling procedure was carried out for two
tillage depths in the beginning of the season (2017/2018). All possible
sources of contamination were taken into consideration while performing
the analysis.
Soil samples of about 500 g were collected from cultivated fields at
a depth of (0-20 cm) and (0-60 cm) cm near the rhizosphere into
polypropylene plastic bags sterilized by autoclave. The soil samples were
collected in two experiment using separated containers. Preservation,
processing and storage for all the parameters including chemical and
physical measurements were carried out in accordance with Handbook of
Techniques for Aquatic Soil Sampling (Mudroch and Mackinght,
1994).
Surface soil layer samples (0-20 cm) and (0-60 cm) were obtained
from calcareous soil using a clean hand corer sampler to prevent
contamination. All soil samples were stored in an ice cooler box and
transported immediately for subsequent physical and chemical analysis to
the Central Laboratory for Environmental Quality Monitoring, National
Water Research Center “CLEQM-NWRC” to be analyzed.
2.2 Analytical Procedures
Soil samples were air dried, ground in an agate mortar, and then
sieved with nylon mesh to pass through a 2mm sieve screen.
2.2.1 Physical analysis
Mechanical analyses (Pipette method) was used for the
determination of soil texture and particle size distribution after the
dispersion of the sample in a sodium hexa-metaphosphate and sodium
carbonate solution (Avery and Bascomb 1982).
On other hand, Soil texture was performed and determined on the
basis of soil – dry samples which are free of organic matter (oxidized by
heating with hydrogen peroxide 30%) and calcium carbonate (dissolved
by heating with diluted 2N HCl) and the texture was calculated using the
texture triangle according to Jackson and Lombard, 1991.
2.2.2 Chemical Analysis
The pH and electrical conductivity values represent the significant
changes associated with the electro-chemical properties of soil and water.
Soil pH and electrical conductivity were determined in water and 0.01M
calcium chloride extracts of soil. Soil reaction (pH-1:2.5 water
suspension) was measured by pH electrode model WTW 305, electrical
conductivity (E.C) in soil paste was measured by E.C electrode model
WTW 301, organic matter by Walkely – Black process tat described by
Hussain and Jabbar, 1985 and Hamza, 2008.
149 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (9) 2020
The soil: solution ratio was 1:2. For available trace metals analysis,
the soil samples were digested in aqua regia using microwave digestion
technique for 25 min (including 5min ventilation) and measured using ICPMS
for total trace metals analysis
The digestion of soil samples using microwave digestion techniques,
in which 0.5 gm of air-dry samples were put in a Teflon vessel and heated
after adding of 3ml HNO3 65% and 3ml HF 40% for 30 minutes
(Littlejohn, et al., 1991). The MILESTONE MLS-1200 MEGA microwave
digestion device with MDR (microwave digestion rotor) system is used for
this treatment. The digestion of samples was carried out for determination of
total heavy metals. Values were recorded as mg/ kg-1dry weight.
Trace metals have been measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma -
Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and USN (Ultra Sonic Nebulizer) Model
Perkin Elmer Optima 3000. Acidified samples have been filtered using
filtration system through 0.45 m pore sized membrane. Cd, Ni, Co, Cu,
Mn, Mo, Cr, Pb, and Zn in samples have been determined and 11355 ICP
Multi element standard ± 0.2% 1000 mg±10/L concentration (Merck
reference) were used for instrumental calibration, standards solutions and
measurement. The detection limits were (0.002, 0.003, 0.002, 0.006, 0.004,
0.004, 0.004, 0.007, and 0.005 for Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn
respectively for blank water (APHA, 2017).
Plant samples were doubly washed with distilled water and then by
using deionized water, swabbed with clean tissue paper and sheared into
pieces, and then finally dried in 70 °C oven until constant weights were
acquired (AOAC 1984) to calculate growth parameters, total yield and yield
parameters as described by Yash, 1998. Enough individual plants (Bean and
Maize plants) were collected to overcome the factor of plant variability and
analyzed according to Chapman, H. D.and P. F., Pratt, 1961 and
identified according to Tackholm,1974. In the laboratory sorting of roots,
stems and leaves was done and then washed before heavy metals analysis.
Quality Control and Quality Assurance
All measurements were based on approved standard methods with
adequate quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) determinations
of heavy metals in soil and plants samples.
Some of the measures accept as following:
- The de-ionized water used for preparing all standard solutions
that obtained using a thermo Scientific, Barnstead Smart2 Pure,
Water Purification Systems (water type I: Resistivity (MΩ-cm) >
18, Conductivity (μS/cm) < 0.056, pH at 25˚C- N/A, Total
Organic Carbon< 50μg/l, Sodium< 1μg/l, Chloride< 1 μg/l,
Silica< 3 μg/l) (Mendes etal., 2011).
- Performing blank sample of de-ionized water (free organic) for
analysis to protect ICP instrument from contamination according
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (9) 2020 150
to ASTM Standards for Laboratory Water Reagent (ASTM
D1193-91) (Mendes etal., 2011)
- Detection limit: mean blank plus three times the standard
deviation of replicate blank determination. Detection limit were
0.05 μg/l for water.
- All tools wash and rinsed with distilled water and de-ionized
water before use
- Labeling was done on the field
2.3 Experiments
Two experiments were carried out in two stages for calcareous soils
as following:
Field Measurements
Two field experiments have been performed to study the impact of
two tillage depths: (0-20 cm) then (0–60 cm) using subsoil equipment
which prepared for a deep soil depth. The tillage depths were 20cm
(farmer practice) that apply for only the top layer of the soil; 0–60 cm.
Tillage depth treatments with three replicates were done each one time on
the beginning of the season, 2017/2018. Each treatment represented two
crops included three replicates. Faba bean plant was sown on 15
November and harvested on 30 April while Zea maize planted in 10 May
and harvested on 15 September.
Laboratory Analysis
Laboratory analysis was carried out for physical and chemical
characterization for represented two tillage depths samples as well as
growth parameters, yield and yield components value of Bean and Maize.
2.4 Statistical Analysis
Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Office Excel
2010 for standard deviation calculation.
2.5 Assessment of Soil Quality
Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines for the Protection of
Environmental and Human Health (CCME, 2007) provide screening tool
that are guidelines for successful assessing various performance or
contaminated sites soil to report soil quality.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Soil Characterizations
The data demonstrated in Table 1 showed that soils samples
collected from the cultivated fields (Bean and Maize) were of normal pH
(8.02 and 8.3) and EC (1.2 and 1.8 dS/m) values for two tillage depths
respectively. EC is measure of the salinity hazards, as by increasing
them, the osmotic activity is reduced and consequently will interfere with
the plant uptake of water and nutrients from the soil (de Le_on et al.
2017). Decreasing available water as result of the increasing of EC
values causes salinity risk.
151 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (9) 2020
Figure (2) confirmed the physical data that reported the sand
particles constituted the highest portion than silt and clay. The
classification of two tillage depths samples showed the texture class to be
sandy loam that could be the selection factor of water leaching.
Fig.(2) Classification of Soil Samples Using Soil Texture Triangle.
Table (1) presented the environmental data of physical and
chemical characteristics for the calcareous soil samples Theses data
showed the change of soil characterization at different depths in
calcareous soil. Furthermore, the varieties clarified the ability to
eliminate or reduce several contaminants to levels that cause no/slight
adverse effects on calcareous soil environment in the area.
Table 1:Physical and Chemical Properties of Calcareous Soil
Samples
Physical Properties Tillage 0-20 Cm Tillage 0-60 Cm Texture Class
Particle Size Distribution %
Coarse Sand 17.51 17.14 Sandy clay
Fine Sand 19.76 26.41 loam
Silt 35.20 27.53
Clay 31.14 25.31
Chemical Properties
pH 1:2.5 8.02 8.30
E.C dS/m 1.21 1.80
CaCO3 17.3 19.4
Organic Matter % 0.97 1.99
3.1 Chemical Characterizations of Soil
The chemical results of soil analyses employing microwave
digestion procedure (Littlejohn, et al., 1991) for measurement of trace
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (9) 2020 152
elements were reported in mg/kg dry weight (Table 2) that based on high
concentrations of dissolved Zn, Mn, Al, and Fe. Precipitation of
substances of high molecular weight, hydrous oxides of Mn, Al, Fe, and
adsorption of binding inorganic contaminants of varying strength to the
surfaces by soil colloids are demobilised these elements into the soil. The
reactions of these mechanisms rely on each other, thus making the whole
process of heavy metal removal mechanisms very complex in soil (Abd
El-Gawad, et al., 2007).
Table 2. Mean Concentration of Trace Elements (mg·kg1
) in Soil
Samples
Tillage Depth Cd Cr Co Cu Pd Ni Zn
0-20 Cm Total 1.1 61 40 47 42 59 77
Available 0.1 0 – 60 Cm Total 0.9 61 31 41 33 46 56
Available 0.06 CCME
Limits,2007
1.4
64
40
63
70
50
200
Figure 3 clarified selected risk elements in soils for two stages
averages of heavy metals concentrations in two tillage's depths that are
total and available content. In According to Canadian Environmental
Quality Guidelines – CCME offers maximum allowable hazard element
contents in soil as following: 1.4 mg.kg-1 Cd, 64 mg.kg-1 Cr, 40 mg.kg-1
Co, 63 mg.kg-1 Cu, 50 mg.kg-1 Ni, 70 mg.kg-1 Pb and 200 mg.kg-1 Zn.
1.1
77
61 59
42
47
40
0.9
56
46
33
41
61
31
0
20
40
60
80
100
Total Heavy Metals Conc.mg/l
Tillage1 1.1 61 40 47 42 59 77
Tillage 2 0.9 61 31 41 33 46 56
Cd Cr Co Cu Pd Ni Zn
0
10
20
30
40
Avalible Heavy Metals
Conc.mg/l
Tillage1 0.1 0 0 7 0.76 0 29
Tillage 2 0.06 0 0 4.8 0.58 0 18.7
Cd Cr Co Cu Pd Ni Zn
Fig.(3) Total and Available Heavy Metals in Soil Samples
The Nickel concentration in the soil samples the overall soil
content. Lead, Chromium, Copper, and Zinc did not increase the
permissible content. The highest concentration of the hazard elements
selected had been in the region of deep 20 cm than the other region with
60 cm in depth.
The overall concentration of metal was high, but only a small
portion of them (35% of Zn, 20% of Cu, 10% of Cd, 0.5 % of Pb, and
less than 0.005 % of Ni) were available for plants. The results that
153 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (9) 2020
obtained can be demonstrated by taking into account the chemical
properties soil (Kacalkova et al., 2009), particularly the heterogeneous
contamination of soil. The total concentration of soil heavy metals is
widely used to denote the level of pollution, while extractable
concentration presents more appropriate chemical measure of quantity of
metals which available for plant uptake.
Solubility of the metal in soil is mainly regulated by pH, the
quantity of metals, the ability of cation exchange, the oxidation state, and
organic carbon content of the mineral composition. In comparison to
overall Cd, the concentration of bioavailable soil Cd is the key factor for
uptake and may be proportional to cumulative Cd at certain
concentrations levels.
From our results, in the case of Copper, Nickel, cadmium, Zinc and
lead, we observed that, increasing pH induced an increase in the soil's
available content of Cd and Pb (soil tillage 20 cm with pH = 8.02 and soil
tillage 60 cm with pH = 8.30). This is in accordance with Shuman, who
clarified that increasing pH decreases metal availability. (Lada K.,
2014).
3.2 Accumulation of Copper, Nickel, cadmium, Zinc and lead in
Bean and Maize crops
The bean and maize studied in the research were grown on the
tested soil by two 20 cm and 60 cm tillage systems with different soil
element concentrations, having no noticeable toxicity symptoms. Table 3
show different concentrations of elements in specific parts of cultivated
bean and Maize crops.
Zinc and Copper showing an identical pattern, respectively, highest
values of concentrations have been observed for maize roots (36.57
mg.kg-1 dry weight Zn in 20 cm treatment) and in bean shoots (120
mg.kg-1 dry weight Copper in 60 cm treatment). Higher ability to
accumulate zinc has been showing in maize grain in compared to bean
grains.
Cadmium accumulation in bean grains was close to Ni, Cu and Pb.
However the maximum concentration of Cd was found in bean shoots
(5.86 mg.kg-1), and the lowest Cd concentration was found in maize grain
(0.032 mg.kg-1 dry weight). In the case of beans, the translocation from
plant roots to stems and leaves (shoots) was higher. Cadmium transfer to
aboveground parts of several plants has also been stated by Fuzhong et
al., (2010). Concentrations of this element were higher under 20 cm
depth than the other treatment with 60cm in depth for both plants. The
quantity of cadmium uptake in plant parts is decreased in the order:
shoots > roots > grains in beans and maize.
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (9) 2020 154
Table 3. Cadmium, Nickel, Lead, Zinc and Copper mean
concentrations and ± Standard deviation in both Maize
and Bean crops (mg.kg-1. Dry weight) under tillage
depths 20 cm and 60 cm.
Crop
Tillage Depth
(cm)
Roots Shoots Grains
Cd
Bean
20 3.1±2.28 5.86±1.54 2.36±0.77
60 2.73±0.47 3.91±1.57 1.71±0.95
Maize
20 0.26±0.14 0.18±0.04 0.041±0.005
60 0.16±0.026 0.09±0.036 0.032±0.008
Ni
Bean
20 2.25±0.78 8.48±0.85 4.92±0.29
60 1.88±0.33 6.42±0.61 2.78±0.58
Maize
20 0.013±0.003 0.0055±0.4 0.003±0.65
60 0.01±0.001 0.005±0.002 0.0025±0.002
Pb
Bean
20 3.33±0.93 4.22±0.62 0.55±0.17
60 1.41±0.7 1.67±0.57 0.34±0.095
Maize
20 3.138±0.28 2.44±0.87 0.514±0.079
60 1.18±0.27 1.79±0.22 0.22±0.049
Zn
Bean
20 0.23±0.045 0.62±0.19 0.58±0.036
60 0.18±0.036 0.483±0.07 0.43±0.14
Maize
20 36.57±4.74 19.15±1.9 33.39±2.89
60 24.25±2.73 10.83±1.63 21.11±2.83
Cu
Bean
20 27±1.69 120±5.66 53.21±7.44
60 22.73±2.42 84.25±10.96 39.54±0.98
Maize
20 11.03±2.27 4.82±0.4 10.15±0.65
60 9.18±0.85 3.77±0.29 7.68±0.55
Nickel was translocated to roots and, particular, to shoot parts and
grains (Table 3). A slightly higher quantity of nickel was detected in bean
shoots (8.48 mg.kg-1) below 20 cm of soil depth. Bean shoots have
shown the ability to accumulate this element at higher concentrations
than in maize plants. The bean grains accumulated 4.92 mg.kg-1 dry
weight of nickel.
The agreed Ni values in plant tissues vary from 0.5 to 5 mg・kg-1
dry weight. Our findings were consistent with this report. Ordering of the
plant parts according to decreased concentrations of Ni is: shoots > grains
> roots in beans and roots > shoots > grains in maize.
The effect of deep tillage treatment on the distribution of trace
elements through the soil layers was clear and it appeared to minimize
the accumulation of Ni in both plants used in our research.
155 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (9) 2020
In bean shoots below 20 cm of soil (4.22 mg.kg-1 dry weight) and
maize roots (3.138 mg.kg-1 dry weight), substantially higher
concentrations of lead were found. (Table 3). Maize grains contained a
dry weight of up to 0.514 mg.kg-1, rather less than lead accumulated in
bean grains (0.55 mg.kg-1 dry weight). It was suggested that Pb uptake
is likely to be passive and that translocation from roots to other parts of
the plant is poor, but aerial deposition and foliar uptake may significantly
contribute to the concentration of leaves. Specific concentrations of Pb in
plants are lower, than 10 mg.kg-1. During the growing seasons for both
species, lead levels in above-ground plant parts from our experiment
increased these values. In both bean and maize plants, the concentration
of Pb in plant parts lowers in the order of: shoots > roots > grains.
3.3. Translocation of heavy metals from roots to shoots
The behaviors of bean and maize plant heavy metal accumulation
was examined by root-shoot measurement of the metals studied and the
data are stated in the Ttable. 4.
Table 4: Translocation of Heavy Metals from Roots to Shoots (TF)
Soil Depths
Crop Soil tillage
depth
TF
Cadmium Nickel Lead Zinc Copper
Bean 20 cm 1.89 3.77 1.27 2.70 4.44
60 cm 1.43 3.41 1.18 2.69 3.71
Maize 20 cm 0.69 0.50 0.78 0.52 0.43
60 cm 0.56 0.42 1.51 0.45 0.41
From the metal in the shoot, the translocation factor (TF) was
determined divided by that contained in the root. The TF is used to evaluate
the root-shoot transfer of metal (Eissa and Ahmed, 2016). The TF values
varies from 0.41 to 4.44 in both plants in the present study and these values
varied substantially from metal to metal as well as between the plants being
studied. Figure () clarified that TF values were found in the order: Cu > Ni
> Zn > Cd > Pb in Bean plant and Pb > Cd > Zn > Ni > Cu in maize plant.
In the case of Cu and Ni, the highest TF value was registered, whereas in the
case of Pb, Cd and Zn, the lowest was found. The TF values of Cu, Zn and
Ni were higher for bean plants than for maize plants.
On the other hand, deep tillage treatment (60 cm soil depth) had a
great effect to reduce the translocation of trace element from roots to shoots
for both plants. It was clear from the current study that TF values were lower
in 60 cm soil depth than those values in 20 cm soil depth.
3.4 Yield Components and Growth Variables
Tillage depths have an effect on total grain weight (kg) per fed,
1000-grain weight (gm), plant height (cm) and straw weight (kg/fed) (are
presented in table (5). In general, results revealed that tillage depth
treatments affected plant height, total grain (kg/fed), and 1000 grain
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (9) 2020 156
weight, so that, at the 60 tillage depth produced higher value than the
same parameters at the 20 cm tillage depth, for the two plants.
Table 5: Yield Components and Growth Variables at Different
Tillage Depth
Crop
Tillage Depth
(cm)
Grains
Kg/fed
Straw
Kg/fed
Plant Height
(cm)
1000 grains
(g)
Bean
20 1735 3521 99.63 54.50
60 1927 3751 119.6 56.50
Maize
20 2670 4221 241.6 60.70
60 3615 4532 253.8 63.25
Furthermore, the results showed that the 60 cm depth of tillage
provides better edaphic environmental growing conditions compared to
other treatments for tillage (20 cm depth, traditional tillage). The results
are consistent with those stated (Khan, 1984; Zhang and Fang, 2007).
Other scientists Higashida and Yamagami (2003) also noted in another
research for Wheat that growth of winter wheat crop was stimulated by
deep tillage.
3.4.1 Grain yield
Table (5) presents the impact of tillage depth treatments on bean
and maize grain yield. For 20 and 60 cm tillage depth treatments, bean
grain yield was 1735 and 1729 kg / fed, respectively. Also for maize
grain yield was 2670 and 3615 kg/fed for 20 and 60 cm tillage depth
treatments for the growing season, respectively.
The yield of bean grain at 60 cm tillage depth was 11% higher than
the yields obtained at 20 cm tillage treatment depth. Similarly, the maize
grain yield at 60 cm in depth was 35% higher than the yields obtained at
the 20 cm treatment for the growing season.
The higher grain yield may be due to the fact that deep tillage
increases the availability of soil water to plants at a tillage depth of 60
cm. In addition, deep tillage, which has a positive impact on grain yield,
leads to greater rooting depth and a better growth environment. The
results are comparable to those stated by (Zhang and Fang, 2007).
In the other side, there are 1000-grains wt. (g) has been shown to
have a higher effect of the 60 depth of tillage than the traditional one (20
depth of tillage), where the results recorded 56.50 (g) and 54.50 (g) for
the 60 and 20 depths of tillage, respectively, for the yield of bean. The
yield of maize was 60.70 (g) and 63.25 (g) respectively at 60 and 20
depths of tillage. Similar findings have been obtained (Iqbal, et al.,
2005; Patil et al., 2005; Shirani et al . , 2002).
3.4.2 Straw yield
The effects of the tillage depths on Faba bean and Zea maize straw
yield are shown in the results in table (5). The values indicate that
through the growing seasons, there was a variation in the yield between
157 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (9) 2020
the two treatments. At the 60 cm tillage depth, straw yields were 3751,
4532 kg / fed., for bean and maize plants, respectively. Straw yields for
both plants at a tillage depth of 60 cm (sub-soiling treatment) were higher
compared to the same values at a tillage depth of 20 cm.
3.4.3 Plant height
Table (5) demonstrates the impact of tillage depths on the height of
Faba bean and Zea maize. For the 20 and 60 tillage depth treatments, the
bean height was 99.63 and 119.6 cm, respectively. For the 20 and 60 tillage
depth treatments, the maize height was both 241.6 and 253.8 cm ,
respectively. The higher value for plants at a depth of 60 may be attributed
to the fact that deep tillage increases the availability of soil moisture to
plants. Moreover, deep tillage allows good aeration, so that the environment
for plant growth is better and that has a positive impact on height.
From the mentioned above, it could conclude that the water rate
together with soil water content decreased with the distance for the irrigation
line. Decreasing the soil water depletion (SWD) can attribute to that these
sites are far from the irrigation line source and received small amount of
water. The total yield showed a clear response to the increase of total
irrigation water. These data were found also by (Zhang and Fang, 2007).
4. CONCLUSION
Sub soiling treatment at different depths had a good tool for increasing
crop production and economic environmental solution in calcareous soil to
meet national goals. The work studied the effect of two tillage depths (0-20
Cm) and (0-60Cm) on physical and chemical variables to reduce soil
pollution in calcareous soils at Maryout region. The obtained data indicated
tillage depth (0-60cm) improved the hydro-physical properties of calcareous
soils that were bulk density, total porosity and soil moisture content
decreased with the distance of the irrigation line.
Micronutrient requirements at tillage depth (0-20Cm) were exceeded
heavy metal accumulations while tillage depth (0-60Cm) were decrease its
concentrations and enhance also its chemical characterization. That
treatment was therefore an emerging, inexpensive and easy way of reducing
micronutrients, particularly in developing countries. In the Maryout region,
calcareous soils existed within crops and soil quality varieties responded to
different treatments that led to identifying valuable accessions for total yield
and yield components that were increased with the increase of soil tillage
depth (sub soiling treatment).
5. RECOMMENDATIONS
It should be mentioned that sub-soil treatment in calcareous soil at
Maryout region is recommended that:
Tillage depth must be increase to 60 cm rather the 20 cm (farmer
practice) once every year to maximize the return from the unit of
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (9) 2020 158
soil at least a yearly. A reduction of pollution efficiency of the
system might take place.
The rate of organic uptake and other constituents must be
monitoring continuously for soil.
Analysis of toxic and other micronutrients for sub-soil treatment in
calcareous soil to keep utilization of new lands.
Study catalytically the roles of sub soiling treatment for bean and
maize production and others in the calcareous soils in the area
through sound environmental programs to achieve more national
goals and decrease the environmental degradation cost in Egypt.
6. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This research has been supported by National Water Research
Center (NWRC). The authors are most grateful to the working staff of the
Central Laboratory for Environmental Quality Monitoring (CLEQM) for
their valuable cooperation.
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الإدارة البیئیة لتأثیر المعادن الثقیلة على إنتاج المحاصیل فی الأ ا رضی الجیریة
أمانی محمد همام – سحر عبد العزیز عثمان
المعامل المرکزیة لمرصد البیئی – المرکز القومی لبحوث المیاة -
Email: amany2010@hotmail.it – saharabdelaziz_712@yahoo.com
تعتبر کمیة الماء عاملاً مقیدًا لنمو النباتات وانتاجیة المحاصیل. وبشکل مباشر، یتأثر
نمو النبات بالإجیاد المائی لمتربة ، والذی یعتمد الى حد کبیر عمى إمکانیات التربة المختمفة.
یعتبر الفول والذرة من أىم المحاصیل الصالحة لمز ا رعة فی مصر.
یبمغ إجمالی المساحة المزروعة بالفول والذرة خلال موسم النمو 623303 و
1306021 عمى التوالی. فی ظروف ندرة میاه الری ، یعتبر الاختلاف فی إمدادات الماء
الأرضی ىو السبب الرئیسی لمتباین فی المحصول. وکان الیدف من العمل ىو د ا رسة
الخصائص الفیزیائیة والکیمیائیة من أجل إدارة المعادن الثقیمة فی التربة الجیریة وتحسین جودة
التربة فی الموقع.
تم إج ا رء قیاسات المعادن الثقیمة لعینات من الأ ا رضی الجیریة بقریة أبو مسعود بمنطقة
مریوط – طریق مصر اسکندریة الصح ا روی. تم إج ا رء تجربتین حقمیتین لد ا رسة تأثیر عمقین
32 سم( عمى ت ا رکم المعادن الثقیمة ، و معاملات نمو المحصول وکمیة ، لمحرث ) 02
المحصول لکل من لفول والذرة.
أظیرت النتائج التی تم الحصول عمییا قیم بیئیة واقتصادیة أعمى لمعاییر النمو
والإنتاجیة ، مع زیادة عمق الحرث لکلا المحصولین خلال موسمی النمو. و قد لوحظ أیضا
زیادة محصول الفول والذرة مع زیادة الحرث )عند عمق 32 سم(.
خمصت ىذه الد ا رسة إلى أنو لابد من أخذ المعادن الثقیمة السامة فی التربة بعین
الاعتبار کمموثات ، وکذا توافرىا البیولوجی والسمیة المحتممة منیا لمنباتات ومن ثم انتقالیا لمنظم
البیئیة وبحث إمکانیة معالجتیا فی الموقع.
163 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (9) 2020
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