Effects of soil-applied lead on growth and partitioning of ion concentration in Spinacea oleracea L. tissues

A pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of lead (Pb) on growth and nutrient concentration in Spinacea oleracea L. The levels of Pb used in the study were 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 mg kg -1 . Lead application in soil caused a gradual decrease in dry weight of both the shoot and root of S. oleracea with increasing Pb level. Potassium concentration in both shoots and roots, and magnesium, zinc and iron concentration in roots of S. oleracea decreased with Pb application. On the contrary, Pb application significantly increased nitrogen, magnesium and manganese concentration in shoots as well as calcium and manganese concentration in roots. Phosphorus concentration neither in shoots nor in roots was affected by Pb application.