Evaluation of Raphanus Sativus Yield Under Different Soil Types Across Sargodha Regions

Abstract

The growing reliance on untreated sewage water for irrigation along with the industrial activities and over agricultural practices is creating an environmental and public health crisis due to soil pollution. Contaminated soils and their impact on radishes (Raphanus sativus) with a focus on heavy metals and pesticide residues were studied. Also enhanced were the contributions of phytoremediation and the earthworms, especially E. fetida and P. posthuma, in the radishes. Earthworms, through bioturbation, are soil engineers and increase contaminant availability and microbial activity, and also improve soil structure. In comparison to other crops, the hyperaccumulator radish was more able than the rest to extract and accumulate in the shoots and roots the metals, pesticides, and metamines such as Cd, Pb, Cr, and As. More than P. posthuma, E. fetida is supportive to phytoremediation in radishes as it was able to enhance more highly than the other the roots and shoots pesticide and metal concentrations.

A parallel study was conducted in Pakistan to determine the level of heavy metals in radish crops irrigated with canal water, tube well water, and sewage. Contaminated soils of sewage irrigated crops according to the soil quality indices of CF, EF, BCF, EDI, HQ were observed to be significantly more deteriorated. Moreover, research assessed the sustainable fertilization alternatives and determined that food compost and vermicompost led to considerable improvements in the growth of radishes when measured against chemical fertilization. All things considered, the results of the research support the importance of sustainable soil management practices and point to radish as well as the utilization of earthworms as a viable means to counteract soil pollution.