Heavy Metals Contamination of Spinach (Spilanthus oleracea L.) in the Agricultural Crops: An Organic Approach

Heavy metals in spinach pose a potential risk to human health. organic farming practices can reduce heavy metal accumulation in spinach. organic amendments significantly reduce levels of lead and copper in spinach compared to conventional fertilization methods. Heavy metals can enter agricultural soils through the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The criterion for significance in the procedures was set at p<0.05 (significant). All data were presented as arithmetic mean with standard error attached. All statistical analyzes were performed using the software Excel 2016. And all figures were prepared using Origin version 8.5 software (Origin Lab Corporation, USA). In plants exposed to heavy metal contamination, S. Oleracea caused severe poisoning. The results showed that Cu and Pb treatments even at low concentrations and Zn treatments at high concentrations significantly increased all growth parameters (length of shoots and roots, biomass and number of leaves) as well as S. oleracea significant reduction (p < 0.05) intotal protein, fibre, moisture and mineral (Na, K, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn and Cu) content.