Effect of Season and Soil Concentration on the Uptake of Minerals in Spinacia Oleracea

Abstract

To study the effect of season and soil concentration on the uptake of minerals in Spinacia oleracea, it was grown on minerals chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg) and iron (Fe) supplemented soil both in winter and summer seasons, respectively. For this purpose a plot was prepared having 12 sub-boxes. Spinacia oleracea was grown in these boxes and supplemented either with individual element or combination of elements except in box-12 for comparison. Before sowing seeds, soil samples were taken and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), texture, lime content (CaCO₃), potassium, phosphorus and concentrations of extractable heavy metals (Cr, Zn, Mn, Cu, Mg and Fe). Irrigation water was also analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), chloride, sulphate and Cr, Zn, Mn, Cu, Mg and Fe concentrations. After harvesting vegetable samples were dried, acid digested and analyzed for Cr, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mg on Hitachi Zeeman Japan Z-8000, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Chromium, zinc, copper, magnesium and iron contents were increased in all summer vegetables. The increase was quite marked suggesting that summer season is more suitable for enhancing the contents of these minerals than winter. The present study was an attempt to see whether it is possible to enhance the level of nutritionally and therapeutically important minerals in vegetables to reduce their serving size. The study revealed that it is possible.