Phytotoxic effects of soil contaminated with explosive residues of landmines on germination and growth of Vicia faba L

Abstract

Landmine contamination is a vital contributor to long-lasting destructive effects on terrestrial ecosystem. Libya has experienced severe landmine impacts involving soil contamination with hazardous heavy metals. This study was conducted in Benghazi, Libya, to examine the phytotoxicity of soil contaminated with residues of a recent exploded mine, on seed germination and seedling growth of field beans (Vicia faba L.). Results revealed that soil contents of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and Hg) showed a gradual decreasing trend from the explosion site with higher concentrations recorded near the site centre, and lower concentrations at a greater distance (6 m). At 50 cm, 1, 2, 4, and 6 m, respectively from the explosion site, mean Pb concentration was 1240, 960, 510, 180, and 28.5 mg/kg, whereas, mean Cd concentration was 44, 38, 21, 8.4, and 0.8 mg/kg and mean Hg concentration was 52, 38, 28.5, 16.2, and 0.51 mg/kg. A strong inverse correlation was obtained between seed germinationand soil content of heavy metals. Seeds sown at the closest distance to the explosion site failed to germinate, whereas, germination percentage for seeds sown at 1, 2, 4, and 6 m from the explosion site was 15%, 15%, 30%, and 60%, respectively, relative to 95% for control seeds. Above-ground vegetation variables of the surviving seedlings, Leaf number plant−1 and plant height, were negatively correlated with soil contamination level. Findings of this study demonstrated the severity of damage caused by landmine contamination to the site soil . Furthermore, the intolerance shown by V. faba to stress associated with the explosive-contaminated soil revealed that the soil was highly polluted and unsuitable for cultivating crop plants.

Keywords

• cd
• hg
• landmines
• libya
• pb
• vicia faba l