134Cs transfer factors to green gram and soybean as influenced by waste mica

Greenhouse pot culture experiment was carried out to study the 134Cs transfer factors from soils to green gram and soybean as influenced by waste mica application (@ 0, 10, 20, 40 g mica kg−1 soil) and compared with muriate of potash (MOP) application (0.17 g kg−1 soil). For the study, the soils were contaminated with 134Cs radionuclide @ 37 kBq kg−1 soil. The shoot biomass and K uptake by crops were significantly improved with waste mica application (@ 40 g kg−1 soil). Compared to control, waste mica and MOP application significantly improved the yield, K content in plant and its uptake. Amongst the soils, crops grown in vertisol recorded higher shoot biomass compared to inceptisol and ultisol. Irrespective of the treatments, higher 134Cs transfer factors were seen in ultisol (0.30) as compared to inceptisol (0.16) and vertisol (0.13). It was observed that higher the K concentration in soil and plant, lowered 134Cs transfer to green gram and soybean. The study recommended that waste mica @ 20 g kg−1 would be useful for checking the 134Cs transfer factors from soils to green gram and soybean.

► Effect of waste mica on 134Cs transfer factors (TF) to green gram and soybean was studied.
► 134Cs TF were higher in ultisol as compared to inceptisol and vertisol.
► Higher the K concentration in shoot drastically lowered 134Cs TF to crops.
► Waste mica @ 20 g/kg was useful to check 134Cs TF without compromising on crop yield.