Application of iron and silicon fertilizers reduces arsenic accumulation by two Ipomoea aquatica varities

A 45 d pot experiment was conducted to examine the effects of silicon fertilizer or iron fertilizer on the growth of two typical Ipomoea aquatica cultivars (Daye and Liuye) and arsenic (As) accumuation of Daye and Liuye grown in As-contaminated soils at different As dosage levels. The results showed that the application of these two fertilizers generally enhanced the growth of the plants, which may be partly attributable to the reduction in As toxicity. The addition of these two fertilizers also significantly reduced the uptake of As by the plants though the iron fertilizer was more effective, as compared to the silicon fertilizer. The accumulation of As in shoot portion was weaker for Daye than for Liuye. The research findings obtained from this study have implications for developing cost-effective management strategies to minimize human health impacts from consumption of As-containing I. aquatica.