ALTERATIONS CAUSED BY HEAVY METALS IN SOYBEAN PLANTS -COMPLEMENTARY STUDIES OF CULTURED AND FERTILIZED-SOILS

ALMEIDA C; ICAZATTI F; ULACCO H; BAZÁN CR; PÉREZ CHACA MV; MARSÁ S; MOLINA AS; ZIRULNIK F

San Luis

Congreso; XXX Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo; 2014

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is an important crop that contains high levels of proteins and oil and plays a key role in contributing to soil fertility through N2 fixation, which has relevant economic implications. The agricultural activities are partly responsible for the pollution of water and soil caused by cadmium (Cd) and other heavy metals. The use of phosphate fertilizers or pesticides containing traces of these compounds over a long period of time increases its concentration in the environment, and hence its ecotoxicological risk. As part of a study of heavy metal stress on soybean, previous in-vitro assays which demonstrated morphological and metabolic disorders in Cd or As treated plants (data not shown), are correlated with complementary field studies. Land with shifting and fertilized cultivation was analyzed at "La Petra" San Luis. Thirteen samples of four pits, each 1 m depth were obtained. Soil physico-chemical properties, essential elements, cations and anions were determined. The results obtained showed that soil owns as average values: hygroscopic moisture 1.44%, pH 7.74, Carbonates (CaCO3) 2.38%, organic matter (OM) 1.032%. Mean values of major anions and cations in g / kg: Sulfates 0.24, Chlorides 3.59, P 1.27, total N 0.048 and trace elements in mg / kg: Fe 0.130 Mn 4.412 and not being able to detect Copper, Zinc, Cadmium and Arsenic with this methodology. We conclude that the analyzed soil is classified as moderately alkaline, mineralized, high in P, with high total N, Fe and Mn with variable values , very low sulfates, variable chlorides, undetected Cu, Zn, Cd and As. These preliminary soil analysis allow an advance in the context of study of heavy metal stress on soybean, since soils do not show detectable levels of heavy metals although they have been subjected more than ten years after fertilizers and herbicides application. More sensitive studies to corroborate these affirmations are anticipated.