Abstract

THE EFFECT OF INTERACTION BETWEEN SOIL PH AND CADMIUM ON GROWTH OF CORN (ZEA MAYS L.)

Rabah S. Shareef*, Awang Soh Mamat, Mustafa R. Al-haheen, Zakaria Wahab and Ibni Hajar Rukunudin

ABSTRACT

A pot experiment was carried out in the plastic house of Agro technology Research Station, University Malaysia Perlis Padang Besar, Perlis, Malaysia. During season of the cultivation of 2014 investigate the impact of soil pH and cadmium on growth of corn plant (Zea mays L.). Twenty five were arranged in factorial experiments according to the Complete Randomized Design (CRD), with three replicates. Five levels of soil pH were, pH4, pH5.2 (i.e., the original value), pH6, pH7 and pH8 and five levels of cadmium (Cd), Cd1 (2 mg.kg-1 soil), Cd2 (4 mg.kg-1 soil), Cd3 (6 mg.kg-1 soil) and Cd4 (8 mg.kg-1 soil) with control Cd0 (Without addition of cadmium). Thus, the total numbers of pots were 75 pots. The results of this investigation revealed that; the soil pH superiority significant at pH7 in plants height, stem dry weight of plant and leaves dry weight of plant reached (202.24 cm), (206.95 g) and (37.62 g), respectively, while pH6 led to significant increase in root dry weight of plant reached (29.21 g). As well as, the increased concentration of cadmium in the soil led to reduced growth characters for the plant (plant height, root, stem and leaves dry weight), which gave Cd4 less of the rates reached (146.85 cm), (19.20 g), (147.28 g) and (26.14 g), respectively. Also the interaction between soil pH levels and levels of cadmium affected in plant growth characters.

Keywords: Soil pH, Cadmium, Growth, Corn, Perlis.