Effect of the populational densities of Panicum maximum (cultivar Tanzânia) in phytoremediation of polluted soil with picloram herbicide

Abstract

This research was carried out from September of 2006 to February of 2007, under greenhouse conditions, in Rio Verde –GO/ Brazil to study the influence of Panicum maximum populational density on the phytoremediation of soil contaminated with picloram. The treatments were the combination of four Panicum maximum (cultivar Tanzânia) populational densities (0, 5, 10 e 15 plants per pot, corresponding to a 0, 122, 244 and 366 plants m-2, respectively) and three rates of picloram (0, 80 and 160 g ha-1 applied directly on the pots, simulating levels of soil contamination). After cultivating the phytoremediator specie on substrate during 100 days, soybean Glycine max L was sown at the same pot, used as a phytotoxicity bioindicator specie. Height of plants and green and dry mass of the above ground part of soybean were evaluated. The population density of the phytoremediate species Tanzania influenced the level of phytotoxicity of the herbicide picloram soybean crop sowed in succession. The population density of , 122 plants m-2 was the most efficient in the decontamination of the soil.