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STUDYONTHEEFFECTOFPOLLUTIONONSOMEVEGETABLECROPS

ARTICLE·JANUARY2005

4AUTHORS,INCLUDING:

Ahmedabdel-hadysayedAbdEl-Wahab

AgriculturalResearchCenter,Egypt

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Bekhit, et. al., (2005)

474

STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF POLLUTION ON SOME VEGETABLE CROPS *Bekhit, R. S.; *Shahien, M. M.; **EL- Doweny, H. H. A. and **El- Eslamboly, A.

A.S.A * Vegetable dept., Fac. of Agri., Cairo Univ.

** Hort. Res. Institute, Agric. Res. Center,

ABSTRACT Two field experiments were carried out during winter seasons of 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 at

a farm in El-Badrashean city, Giza governorate at a distance 20 kilo meter south Giza from Cairo

Assuit road, to study the effect of distance from traffic road on growth and yield characters and lead

and cadmium accumulations in spinach, squash and turnip plants. In addition to study the effect of

washing the edible parts on reducing the above mentioned heavy metals content. Experiments included

three different distances far from the driving road (0-10, 80-90 and 160-170 meters). Traffic density of

the used road was 32458 vehicles/day. The fresh samples were collected after 40, 55 and 70 days from

sowing. Representative samples from plant parts i.e. leaves, roots and fruits were taken for chemical

analysis. Half of these samples were washed with deionized water while the other half was left without

washing. The vegetative parameters of the three crops were increased with increasing the distances

from the traffic road. The chemical constituents of pigments and vitamin C showed a similar trend as

that recorded on the vegetative growth characters. Plants pollution with lead and cadmium were

decreased with increasing distance from traffic road. Washing the edible parts from squash, spinach

and turnip plant led to decreasing the concentration of lead by about 30.47%, 25.44% and 15.79%

respectively. Also, washing in water reduced Cd content by 24.72 %, 22.75% and 10.11%

respectively. Besides, washing was more effective in removing lead than cadmium in fruit crops than

leafy ones. Spinach leaf blades contained high levels from lead and cadmium compared with turnip

roots and squash fruits which contained a low level of lead and cadmium. The concentrations of heavy

metals at the first distance were higher than the maximum codex committee level. Consequently, it

could be recommended that vegetable have to be cultivated far from the traffic road (at least 80-90-

meter) in addition early harvesting as well as washing the edible part before consuming especially,

leafy and root vegetables.

2- INTRODUCTION Vegetables crops are an important for human diet since they contain carbohydrates,

proteins, as well as vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. Vegetables grown at

environmentally contaminated sites in Egypt could take up and accumulate heavy metals at

concentrations that are toxic to human health.

There are many different forms of pollution, such as chemicals and wastes from

factories, farms, motorcars and even houses. These kinds of pollution are very harmful as they

affect land, water and air. Concentrations of cadmium, nickel, lead and zinc in roadside soil

and vegetation decrease with distance far from traffic (Lagerwerff and Specht, 1970). In this

regard, Davies and Holmes (1972) in England recommended that, it might be prudent not to

grow vegetables within 50m of busy roads. Moreover, Ali (1974) indicated that, plants may

absorb lead through both leaves and roots with translocation within the plant. EI-Mola (1980)

indicated that, the dry matter decreased by increasing the addition of lead nitrate to both

shoots and roots of spinach plants.

Page, et.al. (1981) showed that, relative Cd uptake by range of different crop plants

growing in contaminated soils were in, turnip, spinach > tomato, lettuce > swiss chard, radish,

and carrot.

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Ndiokwere (1984) reported that, concentrations of metals in vegetation could be

reduced to 1/2-1/3 by washing the samples with deionised water. Mohamed (1985) indicated

that washing plant samples grown on roadside soils by water could, loose about 43 to 62% of

their total lead content, indicating the importance of washing for polluted plants before being

used by man or animal.

Ochaia (1987) divided the, mechanisms of metal toxicity into five groups: (1) the

displacement of essential metal ions from biomolecules and other biologically functional

units; (2) blocking essential functional groups of biomolecules, including enzymes and

polynucleotides; (3) modifying the active conformation of biomolecules especially enzymes

and polynucleotides; (4) disrupting the integrity of biomolecules; and (5) modifying other

biologically active agents.

Guttormsen (1990) studied the cadmium and lead levels in Norwegian vegetables and

recorded that a reasonable consumption of the vegetables would not appear to present a health

risk, on the basis of the FAO/WHO provisional tolerable weekly intake of 0.5 mg Cd and 3

mg Pb/60 kg of mean body weight.

In Cairo Mahmoud (1992) reported that, lead is highly toxic to man, animals and

plants, and it has become of a major chemical pollutant of the environment.

Feng et.al. (1993) study the heavy metals pollution of vegetables in Boashen district,

Shanghai. They mentioned that, the heavy metal content of different vegetable types was in

the order of leafy vegetables > root tubers > fruit vegetables.

Ali and Riad (1995) observed that, lead content of washed lettuce was low compared

to unwashed ones. It is found that washing lettuce plant with tap water served in lowering

lead content in the plant by about 30 % compared to the unwashed. Hassan and Gewifel

(1998) in Egypt also recorded that, the traffic densities from roads are located in northern

Egypt especially Cairo–Alexandria road, Alexandria–Matrouh Road and Abbis Road. They

examined these roads during 24 hrs, and reported that traffic densities were 35200 (high

density), 20700 (moderate density) and 1100 (low density) respectively. It was found also that

concentration of Pb, Zn and Cd in radish and lettuce collected from each site in both plants,

generally decreased with the increase of the distance from the road. Moreover, these

concentrations were higher in material collected from sites along Cairo-Alexandria highway

than those collected from Alexandria-Matrouh road or from Abbis road.

CODEX (2000) recorded that, for vegetables, except brassica, leafy vegetables and

mushrooms, the proposal is 0.1 mg/kg. A proposal of 0.3 mg/kg stands for brassica, except

kale, and for leafy vegetables, except spinach.

Thabet (2001) showed that, the highest contamination percentages were found in leafy

vegetable samples collected from Benisuef, Qalubiya, Cairo, Minufiya governorates as 93.8%,

92%, 89.1%, and 86% respectively. However, the contamination percentages in the other

Governorates were 81.3% and 78.6% in Giza and Ismailia, respectively.

The objective of this study aimed to study the effect of cars pollution on the vegetative

growth, fruit characters and yield of squash, spinach and turnip. Also to estimate the heavy

metal concentrations i.e. lead and cadmium and the residues and effect of washing for the

mentioned heavy metal with special emphasis on their toxicological implications and studied

the effect of heavy metal on these vegetable crops growth and yield.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

1 - Effect of exhaust car pollution:-

The study was carried out at a farm in El-Badrashean city, Giza governorate at 20-

kilometer south Giza; on the east of Cairo Assuit Agriculture road .Three different vegetable

Bekhit, et. al., (2005)

476

crops i.e. turnip, squash and spinach were used. The experiments were conducted during the

two successive seasons of 2001 /2002 and 2002 / 2003. Planting dates were 6th

and 1st of

October for the first and second seasons, respectively. A randomized complete block design

with three replicates was adopted. Three different distances far from the traffic road, were

studied, 0-10, 80-90 and 160-170 meters. Traffic densities on the examined road were about

32458 vehicles/day. The fresh samples were collected after 40, 55 and 70 days from sowing.

Half of these samples were washed with distilled water while the other half was left as control

(unwashed). Representative samples were taken for chemical analysis.

The conventional agricultural practices i.e., irrigation, fertilization and weeding were

done as recommended by the Ministry of the Agriculture in Egypt, for turnip, squash and

spinach production. No pesticides and herbicides were used.

1.1 Squash experiment:- This experiment aimed to study the effect of pollution by exhausts cars on the

squash Cucurbita pepo, L. on vegetative growth characters, , flowering and fruit characters,

yield, chlorophyll pigments a, b and carotenoids and the contents of Pb and Cd contamination

in the different parts of the vegetable samples either washed or unwashed. Eskandarani

variety, which is widely spread in Egypt, was used in this experiment. Each plot area was 10

m2 include 3 rows was 4 meter long and the number of plants in unit area was 25 plants. The

plants were spaced at 40 cm a part in rows and 80 cm a parts.

1.2 Spinach experiment:-

This experiment aimed to study the effect of pollution by exhausts cars on the spinach

Spinacia oleracea, L. on yield, vegetative growth characteristics, total chlorophyll pigments

and the contents of Pb and Cd contamination in the edible part of plant samples either washed

or unwashed plant part of El-Dokki cultivars. Each plot area was 10 m2 and the number of

plants in unit area was 200 plants.

1.3 Turnip experiment:-

The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of pollution by exhausts cars on

the turnip Brassica campestris, L. var. Iraqi on yield vegetative growth characters, total

chlorophyll pigments and the contents of Pb and Cd contamination in the edible part of plant

samples either washed or unwashed. Each plot area was 5 m2 and the number of plants in unit

area was 125 plants.

Recorded data

A. Plant growth characteristics 1. Leaves area (cm

2). 2. Plant fresh weight (g).3. Plant dry weight (g).4. Root size (cm

3).

5. Root fresh weight (g). 6. Root dry weight (g). 7. Fruit fresh weight (g). 8. Fruit dry

weight (g). 9. Number of fruits. 10. Total yield (ton/ feddan)

B. Chemical analysis

1. Determination of leaf pigments: Chlorophyll pigments of total chlorophyll as mg/100 gm

were determined in the leaves according to Wettestein (1957).

2. Heavy metal pollution. Lead and cadmium contents of Squash, Spanish and Turnip samples were determined

in leaves, stems and petioles, roots and fruits (mg/kg fresh weight) for all intervals of plant

ages either washed or unwashed by using Perian-Elemer Model 3300 Atomic Absorption

Spectrometer according to the method described by Rawe (1973).

Statistical analysis:-

Data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis by the technique of analysis of

variance (ANOVA) for randomized complete blocks design. The treatment means were

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477

compared using least significant difference (LSD) method as mentioned by Gomez and

Gomez (1984).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 1 - Effect of distances from traffic road in plant characteristics.

1.1- Squash experiments:

Results in Table (1) showed that sowing the plants far from the road gave the highest

values from plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, leave area and total chlorophyll, were

detected at 160-170 meter distance compared with first distance (0-10m) in all plant ages. On

the other hand there are no significant differences between the second and the third distance

on the plant fresh and dry weight and leave area in all plant ages in the both seasons. These

inhibition of all characteristics may be due to heavy metal contamination from air and soil

resulted by motor cars emission. These results were similar may be due to as shown (Cottonie

et.al., 1976) who indicated that reduction of biomass production and nutritional quality is

observed on crops grown in soils contaminated with moderate levels of heavy metal. Similar,

results were obtained by several investigators e.g., EI-Mola (1980), Ali (1982) and Moursi

(1990). They reported that, vegetative area was increased by increasing distances from the

main source of pollution. Also similar conclusions were reported by Ali ( 1991 and 1992 ),

Abd El- Aziz (2001) and Ibrahium (2001).

Table (1): Effect of different distances from traffic way plant fresh and dry weight (g), leaves

area (cm2) and total chlorophyll (mg/g fresh weight) of squash plants at 40,55 and

70 days from planting in 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 seasons.

2001/2002

Days

Plant fresh

weight (g)

Plant dry

weight (g)

Leaves area

(cm2)

Total chlorophyll

40 55 70 40 55 70 40 55 70 40 55 70

Dis

tan

ces

0-10 740.3 1042.7 1422.7 66.3 88.6 107.8 5401.3 7327.8 7327.8 0.031 0.039 0.036

80-90 1464.2 1902.3 2254.4 128.8 157.8 181.1 9842.7 12411.8 14354.4 0.051 0.054 0.059

160-170 1422.7 1878.7 2129.8 118.7 158.7 185.9 10033.0 12764.8 14766.7 0.051 0.057 0.063

L.S.D

at 0.05 101.26 197.1 96.87 8.95 19.55 13.47 1573.6 1486.6 1666.9 0.007 0.006 0.0064

2002/2003

Dis

tan

ces

0-10 671.8 951.3 1197.5 62.1 83.1 100.5 4888.2 6682.7 8032.0 0.031 0.035 0.033

80-90 1333.9 1735.6 2062.2 120.7 147.7 169.4 8937.6 11348.7 13091.3 0.047 0.055 0.06

160-170 1298.4 1712.6 1940.6 111.6 148.2 170.8 9126.8 10725.6 13192.7 0.051 0.057 0.064

L.S.D

at 0.05 94.32 182.6 93.4 8.92 18.70 14.8 1416.6 1680.2 1117.5 0.0056 0.0058 0.0067

As for the results concerning the effect of driving way emission on number of fruits,

fruits fresh weight and dry weight per plant of squash plants are shown in (Table2). Significant

effect was observed by increasing the distance from traffic road. The highest values from

these characters were detected at 160-170 meter distance in both seasons while the lowest

values were obtained at 0-10 meter distance far from the traffic road. Similar conclusions

were reported on strawberry by Abd El-Aziz (2001).

Results in Table (3) show the effect of distances from driving way on squash yield

(Ton/Fed). A significant differences between the first distance and both the second and the

third distances were detected. The highest total yield was obtained from 160-170 and 80-90

meter distance. While, the lowest value was recorded at 0-10 meter distance from the road.

These results may be caused by the effect on Photosynthesis, transpiration, carbohydrate

metabolism and other metabolic activities which were inhibited by cadmium and lead

Bekhit, et. al., (2005)

478

accumulation. These results were in agreement with Nasralla (1975) who reported that, the

road dust as source of lead reduced photosynthesis leading to loss of plant yield. Also, agree

with those of Bazzaz et.al. (1974 and 1975), Baszynski et.al. (1980). McCrea (1984) and

Xian (1989) they found that lead pollution caused a severe loss in the yield of several crops.

Table (2): Effect of different distances from traffic way on number of fruit per plant, fruit

fresh weight and fruit dry weight (g) of squash plants at 40,55 and 70 days from

planting in 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 seasons.

2001/2002

Days

Number of fruits

per plant

Fruits fresh

Weight (g)/plant

Fruits dry

Weight (g)/plant

40 55 70 40 55 70 40 55 70

Dis

tan

ces 0-10 3.00 8.00 13.30 111.1 291.8 445.5 8.82 22.16 31.42

80-90 5.00 14.00 19.00 288.5 948.9 1366.1 22.89 66.21 136.42

160-170 4.33 13.67 20.00 294.9 987.7 1962.7 21.58 71.07 154.79

L.S.D at 0.05 1.51 0.76 2.39 88.72 100.2 216.8 6.96 13.94 19.20

2002/2003

Dis

tan

ces 0-10 2.67 7.00 8.33 95.1 251.8 386.2 7.61 19.27 27.44

80-90 3.33 12.67 18.30 247.8 821.6 1711.4 19.81 60.67 119.64

160-170 3.67 13.30 18.0 255.2 853.4 1690.3 18.81 61.88 134.06

L.S.D at 0.05 1.19 1.31 2.00 76.2 87.8 184.9 6.03 8.94 16.52

Table (3): Effect of different distances from traffic way on total yield (ton/feddan) of squash

plants in 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 seasons.

Distances 2001/2002 2002/2003

Yield (Ton/feddan) Yield (Ton/feddan)

0-10 6.45 6.34

80-90 9.73 9.72

160-170 9.87 9.79

L.S.D at 0.05 0.39 0.13

1.2-Spinach experiment

Data in Table (4) show that, there was a significant effect between the first distance

and both the second and the third distance from traffic road on plant fresh weight, plant dry

weight, leave area and total chlorophyll. These morphological characters and total

chlorophyll were significantly increased with distance far from driving way at different plant

ages in both season, The highest values from plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, leave area

and total chlorophyll, were detected at 160-170 meter distance in all plant ages, while the

lowest values were obtained at 0-10 meter from the traffic road. Mean while there is no

significant difference between the second and the third distance on the plant fresh and dry

weight and leave area in all plant ages in both seasons. It may be assumed that this is due to

uptake of the metal into the inner chloroplast space and, hence, that Cd can easily penetrate

the chloroplast envelope, which inhibits photosynthesis (Weigel 1985). Ali (1991) found that,

chlorophyll concentration was significantly affected in leaves of orange trees grown around

Cairo- Alexandria highway. The same author (1992) confirmed that, highly positive

correlations (r>0.9) were found between chlorophyll and soluble protein contents of plants

and the distance from traffic roads. Similar results were obtained by several investigators, e.g.

Ali and Riad (1995), Abd El- Aziz (2001) and Ibrahium (2001).

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479

Table (4): Effect of different distances from traffic way plant fresh and dry weight (g), leaves

area (cm2) and total chlorophyll (mg/g fresh weight) of spinach plants at 40,55

and 70 days from planting in 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 seasons. 2001/2002

Plant fresh weight

(g) /plant

Plant dry weight

(g) /plant

Leaves area

(cm2)

Total chlorophyll

(mg/g F.W)

Days 40 55 70 40 55 70 40 55 70 40 55 70

Dis

tan

ces 0-10 46.6 149.4 234.0 3.76 12.64 19.20 1157.3 1536.3 1689.8 0.033 0.035 0.032

80-90 104.5 277.4 331.5 7.69 25.91 32.87 1534.0 2056.0 2610.0 0.053 0.058 0.065

160-170 119.3 292.1 344.4 8.79 26.25 32.34 1631.3 2089.7 2571.0 0.062 0.068 0.073

L.S.D at 0.05 20.7 36.1 27.5 1.82 0.92 4.26 149.8 248 188.6 0.0055 0.0107 0.0071

2002/2003

Dis

tan

ces

0-10 61.9 129.0 230.0 4.78 11.75 17.10 1223.7 1551.7 1638.0 0.033 0.04 0.029

80-90 112.4 277.6 346.6 8.20 25.80 35.39 1651.7 2270.7 2641.7 0.054 0.058 0.067

160-170 126.6 345.5 354.2 9.24 27.41 34.40 1723.0 2076.0 2666.7 0.058 0.062 0.07

L.S.D at 0.05 23.4 89.1 31.9 0.92 1.82 3.54 217.2 288.0 247.4 0.0146 0.0127 0.0155

Data in Table (5) indicated that, there was a significant effect between the first

distance and the second or the third distance from traffic road on total yield (ton/feddan). The

highest values from total yield were detected at 160-170 meter distance, while the lowest

values were obtained at 0-10 meter distance from the traffic road. While, there is no

significant differences between the second and the third distance on the total yield in both

seasons. These results may be due to the affected on photosynthesis, respiration and

transpiration, and allow the penetration of phytotoxic gaseous pollutants. Productivity is

generally decreased and visible injury symptoms may occur. Similar finding agreed with Ali

(1982, 1991) and Farmer (1993).

Table (5) Effect of different distances from traffic way on total yield (ton/feddan) of spinach

plants in 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 seasons.

Distances 2001/2002 2002/2003

Yield (Ton/ feddan) Yield (Ton/ feddan)

0-10 4.790 4.738

80-90 11.160 11.548

160-170 11.58 11.392

L.S.D. at 0.05 1.18 0.512

1.3 - Turnip experiment

The influence of the distances from the traffic way on root fresh and dry weight, root

size, plant fresh and dry weight, leaves area and total chlorophyll were listed in Tables (6, 7).

There was a significant effect between the first distance and both second and third distance

far from driving way in both season, The highest values were detected at 160-170 meter

distance, while the lowest values were obtained at 0-10 meter distance from the traffic road.

There are no significant differences between the second and the third distance on these

characters in both seasons. In this connection Bazzaz et.al. (1974) found that relatively low

concentration of lead, cadmium and nickel inhibited photosynthesis and transpiration of

detached sunflower leaves. Also, agree with Ali (1982), Nasralla and Ali (1985) and Moursi

(1990) they mentioned that accumulation of a very fine air pollution particles including some

heavy metals, led to decrease the dry matter. Vegetative area was increased by increasing

Bekhit, et. al., (2005)

480

distances from the main source of pollution. These results agreed with the finding of Abd El –

Aziz (2001) and Ibrahium (2001).

Data presented in Table (8) clarifies the effect of the distance from traffic road in

turnip yield. There was a significant effect between the first distance and both the second and

the third distance from traffic road on total yield (ton/feddan). Data indicate that there was

significantly increase in yield with increasing distance from driving way in both seasons. The

highest value from total yield was detected at 160-170 meter, while the lowest values were

obtained at 0-10 meter from the traffic road. There were no significant differences between

the second and the third distance on the total yield in both seasons. The results were agreed

with finding of Ali (1982).

Table (6)Effect of different distances from traffic way on root size (cm3( and root fresh and

dry weight (g) of turnip plants at 40,55 and 70 days from planting in 2001/2002

and 2002/2003 seasons. 2001/2002

Days Root size Root fresh weight Root dry weight (g)

40 55 70 40 55 70 40 55 70

Dis

tan

ces

0-10 102.0 159.7 205.2 65.4 109.0 145.0 5.91 7.71 10.11

80-90 161.9 294.4 360.7 116.1 215.4 241.5 10.48 17.28 22.39

160-170 190.5 283.6 350.7 127.2 211.9 279.3 10.87 17.27 22.80

L.S.D at 0.05 32.1 18.9 33.2 25.2 18.2 83.8 3.50 1.39 2.93

2002/2003

Dis

tan

ces

0-10 105.4 166.2 208.0 68.9 126.5 161.7 6.33 10.36 13.37

80-90 146.0 246.7 298.3 112.4 196.7 215.6 10.92 17.28 21.50

160-170 159.3 247.5 297.7 118.5 201.8 256.4 11.14 17.95 22.75

L.S.D at 0.05 26.4 20.3 18.2 16.6 15.8 76.5 1.34 1.30 2.51

Table (7): Effect of different distances from traffic way on plant fresh and dry weight (g),

leaves area (cm2) and total chlorophyll (mg/g fresh weight) of turnip plants at

40,55 and 70 days from planting in 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 seasons. 2001/2002

Plant fresh

weight (g)/plant

Plant dry

weight (g)/plant Leaves area (cm

2) Total chlorophyll

Days 40 55 70 40 55 70 40 55 70 40 55 70

Dis

tan

ces 0-10 199.5 304.7 385.9 15.31 23.32 29.70 839.3 1153.4 1611.4 0.047 0.056 0.063

80-90 327.3 543.1 648.1 28.46 47.56 58.21 2011.8 2468.4 2905.9 0.073 0.088 0.112

160-170 365.4 534.1 680.0 32.1 46.25 58.74 2039.3 2440.7 2861.4 0.075 0.089 0.115

L.S.D at 0.05 30.2 42.4 89.7 2.13 3.74 4.49 250.3 256.1 298.7 0.0125 0.011 0.0162

2002/2003

Dis

tan

ces 0-10 202.4 326.4 335.5 15.76 25.73 33.93 805.6 1340.6 1745.7 0.046 0.055 0.051

80-90 301.0 468.1 547.9 26.64 41.34 50.74 1793.3 2083.4 2416.7 0.072 0.085 0.103

160-170 319.0 460.3 592.4 28.64 42.72 52.56 1753.2 2149.3 2442.3 0.077 0.096 0.111

L.S.D at 0.05 25.0 28.5 1623 1.32 3.53 3.54 50.1 96.6 260.8 0.013 0.0259 0.0165

2. Heavy metal content

2-1. Percentage of removable by washing: Concerning the effect of washing on lead and cadmium concentration from edible

parts on crops under study, data in Table (9) showed that, the washing treatment led to

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481

decreasing the concentration of lead in squash, spinach and turnip by about (30.47%, 25.44%

and 15.79% respectively. Also, washing in distilled water reduced Cd content by (24.72%,

22.75% and 10.11%) in the edible parts from squash, spinach and turnip respectively. In the

other hand the washing was more effective in removing lead than cadmium in fruit crops than

leafy ones. These results are similar to those of Ndiokwere (1984), Mohamed (1985) and

Basovic, et.al., (1986) they found that washing in cold running or distilled water reduced Pb

content by 27.45-76.13% compared with unwashed lettuce. Ali and Riad (1995) recorded that,

washing lettuce plants with tap water served in lowering lead content in the plant by about 30

% compared to the unwashed.

Table (8) Effect of different distances from traffic way on total yield (ton/feddan) of turnip

plants in 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 seasons.

Distances 2001/2002 2002/2003

Yield(Ton/ feddan) Yield(Ton/ feddan)

0-10 10.572 10.348

80-90 19.160 18.480

160-170 20.268 18.120

L.S.D. at 0.05 2.382 0.573

Table (9) Means of lead and cadmium concentration on edible parts of squash, spinach and

turnip plants as affected by washed and percentage removable from them.

Crops

Pb Cd

2001/2002

Un W W Removable % Un W W Removable %

Squash 0.448 0.309 31.03 0.089 0.067 24.72

Spinach 0.773 0.573 25.92 0.226 0.174 22.75

Turnip 0.477 0.401 16.06 0.185 0.166 10.11

2002/2003

Squash 0.454 0.316 30.47 0.097 0.067 31.27

Spinach 0.820 0.612 25.44 0.253 0.191 24.37

Turnip 0.549 0.462 15.79 0.205 0.183 10.42

2-2. Effect of distances The study includes the evaluation of lead and cadmium contaminations in different

edible part of some vegetable crops namely, squash, turnip and spinach grown in the field at

different distances from traffic roads. The influence of the distance from the road on Pb and

Cd concentration in these vegetables are illustrated in Table (10). It is obvious that, there was

decrease in lead and cadmium concentration in all vegetable under these studies by increasing

the distance from traffic road. The highest value from Pb and Cd concentrations was detected

at 0-10 meter distance, while the lowest value was noticed at 160- 170 in all plant ages from

different vegetables in both seasons. These results are in agreement with those obtained by

Nasralla (1975), EI-Mola (1980), Ali (1982), Mohamed (1985), Nasralla and Ali (1985), Ali

and Nasralla (1986), Moursi (1990), Ali (1991, 1992), Ali and Riad (1995), Hassan and

Gewifel (1998) and Abd El–Aziz (2001) they indicated that, motor cars exhaust is an

important source for soil and plant contamination with lead. The highest concentrations of

lead were greatly depending on traffic volumes. Furthermore, lead, concentrations in soils and

grasses were found to decrease with distance far from the road.

Generally unwashed plant parts of squash, spinach and turnip found to contain more

amounts of heavy metals as compared with those of the washed ones with a significant effect.

Bekhit, et. al., (2005)

482

In the same table, washing showed significant decrease in lead and cadmium contamination.

Nevertheless, in the first distance (0-10) washing treatment was not succeeded to reduce it

under the maximum guidelines level recommended by CODEX alimentarius commission.

Data in the same Table indicated that spinach leaves were content higher

concentration of lead and cadmium than turnip root and squash fruit in all plant ages in both

seasons. These results are harmony with Page, et.al. (1981) who showed that, relative Cd

uptake by different crop plants growing in contaminated soils were in the range: turnip, spinach

> tomato, lettuce > swiss chard, radish, carrot. In the same trend Chumbley and Unwin (1982)

and Kuboi et.al. (1986) have subsequently examined Cd uptake in 34 plants species of nine

different families. They found that different plant families responded differently and classified

them into three groups: 1. Low accumulation ( Leguminosae). 2. Moderate accumulation

(Gramineae, Liliaceae, Cucurbitaceae and Umbelliferae). 3. High accumulation

(Chenopodiaceae, Cruciferae, Solonaceae and Compositae). Also, the obtained results agreed

with Feng et.al. (1993) who study the heavy metals pollution of vegetables in Boashen

district, Shanghai. They mentioned that, the heavy metal content of different vegetable types

was in the order of leafy vegetables > root tubers > fruit vegetables.

The highest concentration from lead and cadmium was detected in spinach leaves

followed by turnip roots followed by squash fruit. Turnip roots were contain more amounts of

heavy metal especially cadmium, where unexposed plant part to atmospheric Pb contributed

due to it was account heavy metal hyperaccumulate as recorded by Ross (1994) the

exposed plant parts (the leaves) accumulate larger quantities of air-derived metals than do

unexposed plant part (e.g., roots and pea fruit). Although Pb is generally considered not to

be easily translocated within plant tissues, Harrison and Chirgawi's (1989) indicate that

atmospheric Pb contributed to the unexposed plant parts, especially the storage roots of

radish, turnip and carrot.

Squash fruits at the first distance (0-10 meter) contained high level of lead and exceed

for the maximum level recommended by CODEX. Washing treatment wasn’t decreased the

level under that recommended by CODEX in all plant age under study (40-55-70 days). At

the second distance (80-90 meter) squash fruits at 55 and 70 days from planting contained

high values from lead but washing reduced it under the safety level. At the third distance

(160-170 meter) from the traffic road squash fruits were safety in all plant ages in both

seasons. While the contaminations of cadmium in all squash fruit from all plant ages was not

excess the guidelines level of CODEX.

Data in the same Table showed that, spinach leaves at the first distance in all plant

ages in both seasons were contained highly levels from lead and cadmium higher than the

recommended maximum level. Washing treatment did not succeed to reduce this level of both

elements except leaves at 40 days from planting for lead only. While, leaves from spinach

plants grown at the second and third distances in all plant ages were lower in their content

than the guideline level.

Turnip roots from the plants grown at the first distance were contaminated by lead to

the harmful level in all plant ages under study. Washing treatment did not reduce this level to

the safety range. Plants at the second distance were not reaching to the maximum harmful

level except after 55 days from sowing. Washing treatment was not succeeded to decrease it

to the safety level. While at the third distance roots contents were under the safety level for

lead. Cadmium content in turnip roots at the first distance were also higher than

recommended and washing did not succeed to decrease it. Turnip roots obtained from the

second and third distances contained safety level from cadmium in all plant ages.

The 6th

Arabian Conference For Horticulture, Ismailia, Egypt

483

Table (10): Effect of distances from traffic road and washed on Pb and Cd concentrations

(mg/kg. fresh weight) on edible part from squash, turnip and spinach plants during

seasons (2001/2002 and 2002/2003) compared with maximum level or guidelines for

maximum limit (ML) of metals in vegetables were adopted from FAO/WHO. Pb 2001/2002 Recommended Max.

L. for Vegetables

(mg/kg. f. w.) 40 55 70

Un W Un W Un W

Squash fruit D1 0.183* 0.130* 0.260* 0.194* 0.346* 0.295*

0.1a

D2 0.086 0.050 0.118* 0.065 0.127* 0.086

D3 0.055 0.019 0.081 0.035 0.088 0.053

Spinach leaves

D1 0.328* 0.251 0.425* 0.337* 0.634* 0.543*

0.3a

D2 0.219 0.126 0.168 0.110 0.273 0.192

D3 0.076 0.041 0.092 0.047 0.104 0.071

Turnip root

D1 0.243* 0.220* 0.310* 0.258* 0.335* 0.289*

0.1a

D2 0.099 0.078 0.109* 0.088 0.122* 0.101*

D3 0.066 0.049 0.068 0.056 0.080 0.063

2002/2003

Squash fruit D1 0.185* 0.131* 0.264* 0.197* 0.351* 0.300*

0.1a

D2 0.087 0.052 0.118* 0.067 0.129* 0.091

D3 0.056 0.019 0.082 0.036 0.090 0.054

Spinach leaves D1 0.346* 0.265 0.450* 0.356* 0.675* 0.579*

0.3a

D2 0.234 0.134 0.181 0.121 0.289 0.213

D3 0.080 0.043 0.097 0.049 0.109 0.075

Turnip root

D1 0.280* 0.254* 0.356* 0.297* 0.386* 0.333*

0.1a

D2 0.114* 0.090 0.125* 0.102* 0.140* 0.118*

D3 0.076 0.056 0.078 0.065 0.092 0.072

Cd 2001/2002

Squash fruit D1 0.053 0.042 0.057 0.044 0.066 0.052

0.1b

D2 0.016 0.012 0.019 0.014 0.021 0.016

D3 0.010 0.005 0.012 0.007 0.013 0.009

Spinach leaves D1 0.143* 0.110* 0.159* 0.133* 0.123* 0.106*

0.1b

D2 0.044 0.032 0.062 0.044 0.067 0.048

D3 0.021 0.011 0.024 0.017 0.034 0.022

Turnip root

D1 0.089 0.084 0.110* 0.103* 0.144* 0.131*

0.1b

D2 0.046 0.037 0.050 0.044 0.049 0.044

D3 0.019 0.015 0.023 0.020 0.024 0.020

2002/2003

Squash fruit D1 0.053 0.043 0.059 0.046 0.068 0.053

0.1b

D2 0.015 0.011 0.018 0.012 0.020 0.015

D3 0.033 0.004 0.012 0.007 0.013 0.009

Spinach leaves D1 0.151* 0.111* 0.164* 0.134* 0.181* 0.153*

0.1b

D2 0.047 0.031 0.066 0.045 0.070 0.048

D3 0.020 0.012 0.025 0.018 0.035 0.022

Turnip root

D1 0.093 0.085 0.117* 0.105* 0.157* 0.134*

0.1b

D2 0.048 0.049 0.062 0.054 0.060 0.056

D3 0.022 0.019 0.026 0.024 0.029 0.024

D1 : 0- 10 D2 : 80- 90 D3 : 160 – 170 W : washed Un : unwashed a

Source: FAO/WHO - Codex alimentarius commission, 1999. b

Source: FAO/WHO - Codex alimentarius commission, 2001. *

> Recommended Maximum Level for Vegetables.

This may simply reflect relatively high air lead concentrations and the low

efficiency of soil lead uptake compared to the other trace metals studied. There are

rather few corroborative published data. Hovmand et.al., (1983) reported that

anything from 20 to 60 % of Cd uptake by a range of different edible crops could be

air-derived. The leaves of kale and the grain of barley showed highest Cd

concentration derived from air pollution, at 50- 60 % and 40-60 % respectively. The

studies of Harrison and Johnston (1987) and Harrison and Chirgawi (1989) indicate a

relative ease of uptake of Zn and Cd from soil, but not for Pb. Their experiments also

Bekhit, et. al., (2005)

484

indicate that metals in atmospheric pollution can contribute substantially to the metal

fund of the plant and be translocated to unexposed plant parts. El- Syied (1998)

recorded that, the highest values from Cd of concentration index were found in clover

tops, turnip roots and orange pulps. Indicated also, the highest values from lead were

found in turnip roots, clover tops and corn tops.

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Arabian Conference For Horticulture, Ismailia, Egypt

487

دراسات على التلوث بالعناصر الثقيلة على بعض محاصيل الخضر

-رأفت صادق بخيت **

االسالمبولي عبدالوهابسيد احمد عبد الهادي ** -**حمدي حسن الضويني -محمد محمد شاهين

* جامعة القاهرة - كلية الزراعة -قسم الخضر

** مركز البحوث الزراعية -معهد بحوث البساتين

ةفي مزارع 2002/2003و 2001/2002ريت تجربتان حقليتان في الموسم الشتوي لعامي أج

كيلو متر جنوب الجيزة وذلك لدراسة تأثير البعد 20على طريق مصر أسيوط الزراعي بمنطقة البدرشين تبعد

ىسيل علوالرصاص وأيضا تأثير الغ وصفات الجودة والتلوث بالكادميوم والمحصول عن الطريق على النمو

السبانخ واللفت. والكوسة خفض محتوي الكادميوم والرصاص في ثالثة محاصيل هي

متةر وكانةت الكفافةة 170-160, 90-80، 10-0اشتملت الدراسة على ثالثةة أبعةاد مةن الطريةق المةروري وهةي

لك بغرض تسجيل يوم من الزراعة وذ 70, 55, 40سيارة / يوم وتم جمع العينات النباتية بعد 32458المرورية

اجةري التحليةل الكيمةاوي بعةد سةيل نصةن العينةات بالمةا المقطةر وتةةر و المحصةولبيانةات النمةو الرضةري و

النصن الباقي بدون سيل )كنترول(.

ويمكن تلريص النتائج كما يلي:

سجلت بيانات النمو الرضري زيادة معنوية بزيادة البعد عةن الطريةق وذلةك لكةل مةن محاصةيل الرضةر (1

الفالث تحت الدراسة.

متر( زيادة واضحة في محتوى النباتات من الصبغات 170-160أيضاً سجل البعد الفالث عن الطريق ) (2

النباتية ومحتوى األوراق من فيتامين جـ.

الرصةاص( انرفةض بزيةادة –تبين من التحليل الكيماوي أن تلوث النباتات بالعناصةر الفقيلةة )الكةادميوم (3

البعد عن الطريق.

أدى سيل األجزا النباتية المأكولة إلى انرفةاض معنةوي فةي محتواهةا مةن العناصةر الفقيلةة )الكةادميوم (4

لسةبانخ وجةرور اللفةت مةن عنصةر حيث أحةدث انرفةاض لمحتةوى ثمةار الكوسةة وأوراق ا والرصاص(.

% لكةةل مةةنلم علةةى الترتيةة وأيضةةاً أدت عمليةةة 15.79% ، 22.44% ، 30.47الرصةةاص بمقةةدار

% 10.11% ، 22.75% ، 24.72الغسيل إلى تقليةل محتةوى الكةادميوم فةي األجةزا المأكولةة بنسةبة

لكل من الكوسة والسبانخ واللفت على الترتي .

حتةوى أنصةال السةبانخ مةن عنصةري الكةادميوم والرصةاص كةان مرتفعةاً أتضح كرلك من الدراسةة أن م (5

مقارنة بمحتوى األعناق والجرور من نفس العناصر. كرلك كان محتوى الجرور لنبات اللفت مرتفعةاً مةن

العناصةةر السةةابقة وقةةد سةةجلت ثمةةار الكوسةةة انرفاضةةاً ملحو ةةاً فةةي محتواهةةا مةةن عنصةةري الكةةادميوم

والرصاص.

تلةةوث النباتةةات بالعناصةةر الفقيلةةة فةةي المسةةافات القريبةةة مةةن الطريةةق الزراعةةي سةةجل بصةةفة عامةةة فةة ن (6

)كودكس(.المسموح بلا بواسطة لجنة ارتفاعاً معنوياً مقارنة بالحدود العالمية

متةر 80علةي مسةافة قتقةل عةن وتوصي الدراسة بضرورة زراعة نباتات الرضةر بعيةداً عةن الطةرق المروريةة

قبل اقستلال . والجررية ا المأكولة خاصة المحاصيل الورقيةوأيضا بغسيل األجز