Crop suitability assessment in remediation of Zn contaminated soil

Zinc (Zn) is naturally present in soils and constitutes an essential micronutrient for plants. Mining, in-dustrial, as well as various agricultural activities all contribute to increasing the Zn concentrations in soilsto levels that are toxic for plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity offield crops toremove Zn from contaminated soils. The experimental design included 28 treatments, comprising sevenfield crops (Hordeum vulgareL.,Ricinus communisL.,Phaseolus vulgarisL.,Brassica junceaCzem., SorgumvulgareL.,Spinacea oleraceaL.,Solanum lycopersicumL.) and four Zn levels (0, 500, 1000, 1500 mg kg1)applied to soils. The dry weight (DW) of the aboveground biomass ofR. communisandS. lycopersicumincreased significantly as the Zn concentration in the soil increased, whereas the DW significantlydecreased inP. vulgaris,B. junceaandS. vulgare. Results indicated thatS. oleraceawas the most efficient inconcentrating Zn in the aboveground tissues, followed in decreasing order byH. vulgare,S. lycopersicum,R. communis,S. vulgare,P. vulgaris, andB. juncea.H. vulgareresulted the most efficient in accumulating Znboth in fruit and in leaves and stems, whereasS. lycopersicumresulted the most efficient in accumulatingZn in roots. The BAF and TF values indicated thatH. vulgareandS. oleracearesulted being suitable for Znphytoextraction, whereas the remaining crops being suitable for Zn phytostabilization. These resultshighlight the phytoremediation potential of the seven analysed crops.