The Effects of Biodegradable Chelating Agent GLDA on Phytoremediation Potential of Solanum nigrum L. Grown in Cd Contaminated Soils

The current research work emphasises the effect of tetrasodium glutamate diacetate (GLDA) on growth and phytoextraction capacity of Solanum nigrum L. grown in soils contaminated with cadmium (Cd). The application of GLDA at the rate of 3 mmol/kg reduced the root and shoot length by 51.02 and 43.20 % respectively, while under 6 mmol/kg application of GLDA reduced the root and shoot length by 56.46 and 50% respectively, as compare to the control pot at 50 mg/kg Cd polluted soils. The applied quantity of GLDA at the rate of 3 mmol/kg reduced the root and shoot dry biomass by 80.55 and 70.45 % respectively, while under 6 mmol/kg application of GLDA reduced the root and shoot dry biomass by 83.33 and 72.15% respectively, as compare to the control pot at 50 mg/kg Cd polluted soils. The applied quantity of 3 mmol/kg GLDA absorbed the 22.72, 26.92% quantity of applied Cd i.e., 25 mg/kg of soil significantly, in the roots and shoots of Solanum nigrum L. respectively, while the applied quantity of 6 mmol/kg GLDA significantly absorbed the 33.35, 35.04 % quantity of applied Cd i.e., 50 mg/kg of soil, in the root and shoot of Solanum nigrum L. respectively. However, the maximum accumulation of Cd was observed in treatment having combination of 6 mmol GLDA and 25 mg/kg Cd i.e., 34.26 and 36.81 % in root and shoot of Solanum nigrum L. respectively. The BAF, TF and RF values of Cd contaminated soils are varied from 0.187±0.001-0.375±0.003, 1.050±0.003-1.244±0.005 and 0.222±0.002-1.253±0.005 respectively. These results showed that GLDA improve the phytoaccumulation capacity of Solanum nigrum L. and suitable for remediation of Cd contaminated soil.