Citric acid mediated phytoextraction of cadmium by maize (Zea mays L.)

The aim of the investigation was to determine the potential of citric acid for accumulation and translocation of cadmium and their effect on maize growth. the plants were grown in small plastic glasses and treated with 300 mg kg-1 cdcl2 and 0,0.25,0.5,1 and 2 g kg-1 of citric acid. after 10 days,the plants were harvested,dried and root and shoot biomass weighed. to study the efficiency of maize to bioaccumulate metal,uptake of cadmium was studied in the root and shoot. the results showed that heavy metal accumulated more in roots than the shoots and application of citric acid depressed cd uptake at all concentrations. percent decrease in cd uptake was 58,35,26,25 and 63,46,44,42 by sahiwal- 2002 and pak-affgoee,respectively at 0.25,0.5,1 and 2 g kg-1 of citric acid application. maize proved to be an effective accumulator for cadmium,however,neither concentration of citric acid showed advantages for phytoextraction of cadmium.