TRACE METALS ACCUMULATION IN VEGETABLES GROWN IN PRESENCE OF PESTICIDE CARBOFURAN, SEWAGE SLUDGE, NITROGEN FERTILIZER AND THEIR MIXTURES

A pot study was performed to study the growth and concentration of heavy metals Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Cr, Ni and Pb in tomato, brinjal,
corn and carrot grown in presence of different doses of carbofuran, sewage-sludge, nitrogen fertilizer and their mixtures. We
determined that in presence of lower doses of carbofuran the concentration of Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Cr, Ni and Pb in root, stem, and edible
part increased significantly, while higher doses of carbofuran caused negative influence. The change in concentration of
micronutrients may be due to active role played by pesticides on soil microbial status, soil pH and adsorption by soil minerals. The
concentration of metals in different parts of crops increased initially (20-25%) with addition of sewage-sludge which may be due to
more availability of micronutrients to plants. The concentration was more in sewage-sludge treated samples than carbofuran treated
soils. The concentration of metals in presence of both carbofuran and sewage-sludge decreased significantly except in tomato plants.
The concentration of metals increased in the presence of lower doses of nitrogen fertilizer which may be due to solubilising effects
and decrease in pH. In presence of carbofuran and different doses of nitrogen fertilizer the metal concentration in different parts of
crops was more than in presence of nitrogen fertilizer alone except in case of tomato. In presence of carbofuran, sewage-sludge and
different doses of fertilizer the concentration of metals in different parts of crops increased initially and then decreased.