Noertjahyani Noertjahyani, Nunung Sondari

THE EFFECT OF ZEOLITE RATES ON GROWTH Cd SHOOT CONTENT AND YEILD OF THE LATTUCE (LACTUCA SATIVA L.) UNDER HEAVY METAL CADMIUM STRESS

Introduction

The effect of zeolite rates on growth cd shoot content and yeild of the lattuce (lactuca sativa l.) under heavy metal cadmium stress. Study zeolite's effect on lettuce growth, yield, and cadmium content under heavy metal stress. Discover how 6 ton/ha zeolite improves plant health and significantly reduces Cd accumulation.

Abstract

Cadmium is a non-essential heavy metal which can poison the plants. It is can inhibit the growth of plants moreover cause cell death. The lettuce is one of vegetables that are usually consumption on fresh. This plant adsorbing Cd from soil and accumulate on leaf greater than root. The study aimed to study the effect of zeolite rates to growth, cadmium shoot content, and lettuce (L. sativa) under Cd stress condition. The experiment was conducted on February until April 2009 at greenhouse of Agriculture Faculty, Winaya Mukti University Tanjungsari- Sumedang with elevation of 850 asl. The experiment design was using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 4 treatments and repeated six times. Zeolite rates treatments are 0 ton ha-1, 2 ton ha-1, 4 ton ha-1, and 6 ton ha -1 of zeolite. The result showed that given zeolite is not only could increase a plant height, leaf number, plant fresh weight, dry weight fade, root fade ratio, but also could reduce a Cd shoot content of lettuce. Application of 6 ton ha-1 zeolite not only gave the best effect to plant height age of 14 days after planting (dap), 21 dap, and 28 dap, leaf number/plant, fresh weight/plant, dry weight fade, root fade ratio, but also reduce a Cd shoot content of lettuce at 25,14%.

Review

This manuscript presents a timely and relevant study investigating the potential of zeolite application to mitigate cadmium (Cd) toxicity in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), a widely consumed fresh vegetable known for its propensity to accumulate heavy metals. The research addresses a significant environmental and food safety concern, as Cd is a non-essential heavy metal detrimental to plant growth and potentially human health. The stated objective to evaluate the effect of various zeolite rates on lettuce growth, Cd shoot content, and yield under Cd stress is clear and directly tackles the identified problem, providing valuable insights into sustainable agricultural practices for contaminated soils. The experimental design, a Randomized Block Design with four zeolite rates (0, 2, 4, and 6 ton ha-1) and six replications, appears robust for an initial greenhouse study, ensuring statistical reliability. The abstract clearly outlines the positive impact of zeolite, demonstrating its efficacy in improving key growth parameters such as plant height, leaf number, plant fresh weight, and dry weight. Crucially, the study also found that zeolite application significantly reduced the accumulation of Cd in lettuce shoots, a vital finding for food safety. The specific highlight of the 6 ton ha-1 zeolite rate consistently delivering the best results across multiple growth metrics and achieving a notable 25.14% reduction in Cd shoot content provides a clear and actionable recommendation. While the abstract presents compelling results, a full manuscript would benefit from further elaboration on several aspects. For instance, the "yield" parameter, mentioned in the title, is not explicitly detailed in the abstract beyond fresh and dry weight, which could be expanded upon. Clarification on the type of zeolite used (e.g., clinoptilolite, chabazite) and its specific chemical properties would enhance the mechanistic understanding of its Cd-adsorbing capacity. Additionally, discussing the economic viability and long-term environmental implications of applying 6 tons ha-1 of zeolite in agricultural settings would provide a more holistic perspective. Furthermore, while a 25.14% reduction is positive, contextualizing this reduction against maximum permissible Cd levels for vegetables would strengthen the practical significance of the findings for consumer safety.

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