Landrace Maize Varieties Used as Phytoremediation of Contaminated Soil with 2,4-D + Picloram

Abstract

The use of herbicides such as 2,4-D + picloram in livestock areas can contaminate and hinder the use of the production system for subsequent crops of other crops. The objective of the research was to evaluate the ability of landrace maize varieties to reduce contamination of soil treated with 2,4-D + picloram, simulating existing conditions in the Amazon Biome. The experiment consisted of 6 phytoremediation treatments (4 landrace maize varieties, 1 hybrid maize cultivar and 1 control without cultivation), 2 herbicide conditions (with and without) and 3 evaluation periods (28, 56 and 84 days). The soil was contaminated and the maize was subsequently cultivated under the herbicide conditions mentioned above. After each evaluation period, soil samples were collected, which were used to mount bioassays by growing cucumber (plants sensitive to the herbicide). Emergence, aerial dry mass and root dry mass were evaluated. All variables were affected by the herbicide residue. However, the reduction in herbicide persistence in each evaluation period was notable, resulting in the normal reestablishment of bioindicator seedlings, especially in the last evaluation at 84 days. The samples obtained in the soil cultivated with the varieties CR purple and CR white showed the best conditions for the development of cucumber, demonstrating the potential to be studied in phytoremediation programs.