Effect of different amendments on growth and heavy metal accumulation in Vicia villosa Roth varglabrescens cv Yunguangzao in soils polluted with lead/zinc mine tailings

A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effect of four amendment substances (organic manure, lime, vermiculite and dolomite) on growth and heavy metal (Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn) accumulation in Vicia villosa Roth varglabrescens cv Yunguangzao in soils contaminated with lead /zinc mine tailings. Changes in soil pH and available heavy metal content induced by the amendments were also analyzed. The results show that the four amendments significantly increase soil pH while reducing available heavy metal content in soil. Hence transportation of Cd and Pb from the root to shoot of V. villosa is limited, which reduces heavy metal accumulation in the shoot. The amendments significantly improve growth of V. villosa, while increasing plant height, shoot and root fresh weight and chlorophyll content of V. villosa. The induced changes in plant height and shoot fresh weight are significant (P < 0.05) compared to CK. Amendments significantly affect heavy metal accumulation in the root of V. villosa. The effects of the four amendments on root heavy metals content in V. villosa are also significant.