Abstract

PEREZ-ARMENDARIZ, Beatriz et al. Anthracene effect on stimulation of growth of maize and kidney bean. Terra Latinoam [online]. 2011, vol.29, n.1, pp.95-102. ISSN 2395-8030.

The effect of residual hydrocarbons in agricultural soils after remediation is an important topic because of its social implications. In Acatzingo, Puebla, México, an agricultural soil contaminated by diesel spill was restored. In this work we evaluated the removal of anthracene added to a soil from Acatzingo, at initial concentrations of 200 and 400 mg kg-1, using maize (Zea mays) and kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) for phytoremediation after 15 and 30 days of plant development under greenhouse conditions. Experiments were carried out in pots (250 g), assessing anthracene removal in soil (%) and its residual concentration in the root, as well as the effect of anthracene on plant height, root length, dry weight of plants and roots, and number of leaves. After 30 days of maize and kidney bean development in treatments, up to 84% of the anthracene was removed from the soil containing 400 mg anthracene. Residual anthracene was absent in the root in all cases. Plant height was significantly higher (maize: 66.2 cm; kidney bean: 65.0 cm) than that of control plants after 30 days cultivated in the treatment containing 400 mg anthracene in soil. After 30 days, root length was significantly longer in controls (maize: 32 cm; kidney bean: 31.9 cm) and in treatments containing 200 mg anthracene (maize: 26.8 cm; kidney bean: 33.1 cm).

Keywords : agricultural soil contaminated; anthracene remove; phytoremediation with kidney bean; phytoremediation with maize; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).