Immobilization of Pb and Reduce Uptake in Edible and Non Edible Crops Under Long Term Sewage Irrigated Soil

To check the transfer of metals in the food chain FeSO₄.7H₂O and CaSO₄ were used to rapidly immobilize the metals in a larger area. In batch experiment, application of FeSO₄ @ 5% showed greater decrease in soil pH from 7.54 to 5.55 in half an hour shaking period and consequently water soluble and exchangeable Pb concentrations decreased by 100%. Pot experiment was carried out with two flowers and two leafy vegetables as test crops with FeSO₄ @ 1% and 2.5%. The application FeSO₄ @ 2.5% decreased the bioavailability of Pb and the performance of Tagetes erecta was superior among the four crops.