Phytoremediation of atrazine-contaminated soil using Zea mays (maize)

Greenhouse experiments were carried out to determine the potential capability of maize plants to remediate atrazine-contaminated soil. The potted sandy loam soil was treated with atrazine (Gesaprim 90%WG) at 0.5 and 1.0 ppm then was planted immediately with maize. After 15, 30, 45 and 60 days from sowing, maize plants were cut and discarded. Wheat seeds were sown in treated soil to determine atrazine residues. Untreated soil and soil unplanted with maize served as controls. Seven days after sowing, the shoot and root lengths of wheat seedlings were measured. The results indicated that shoot and root lengths of wheat in the treated-soil previously planted with maize were taller than the treated-unplanted soil. Persistence percentage of atrazine in the treated soil was estimated by determining the residues of atrazine by Gas Liquid Chromatography (GLC). The obtained data showed that residues of atrazine were less in soil planted with maize compared with unplanted soil. Considerable concentrations of atrazine, i.e., 0.99 ppm and 0.14 ppm were detected in sterilized unplanted or planted soils with maize after 30 days of sowing, respectively. While these values, were 0.38 ppm and 0.09 ppm in sterilized unplanted or planted soil with maize after 60 days of sowing, respectively. This study demonstrated that residues of atrazine were reduced in faster rate in contaminated soil planted with Zea mays than the unplanted soil. Results indicated that Z. mays was useful for phytoremediation of soils contaminated with atrazine.