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Impacts of Humic Acid and Potassium Fulvate on Cadmium and Lead Accumulation and Translocation in Maize ( Zea mays L.) Grown in Co-Contaminated Soil

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  • Qi Liu

    (College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
    Yunnan Soil Fertilizer and Pollution Repair Engineering Research Center, Kunming 650201, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Xuchao Sun

    (College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Sheng Wang

    (Yunnan Soil Fertilizer and Pollution Repair Engineering Research Center, Kunming 650201, China
    School of Chemistry and Geographical Sciences, Chuxiong Normal University, Chuxiong 675000, China)

  • Rongteng Zhao

    (College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China)

  • Lanfeng Li

    (College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China)

  • Jijiang Zhou

    (College of Mycology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China)

  • Li Bao

    (Yunnan Soil Fertilizer and Pollution Repair Engineering Research Center, Kunming 650201, China
    College of Resources and Environment, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China)

  • Wenbing Zhou

    (College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China)

  • Naiming Zhang

    (Yunnan Soil Fertilizer and Pollution Repair Engineering Research Center, Kunming 650201, China
    College of Resources and Environment, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China)

Abstract

To explore strategies for the safe utilization of farmland co-contaminated with cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), this field study systematically evaluated the impacts of humic acid (HA) and potassium fulvate (PF) at different application rates (0, 1500, 3000, and 4500 kg·ha −1 ) on the growth, yield, and translocation of Cd and Pb within the soil–plant system of maize ( Zea mays L.). The results showed that while HA and PF did not significantly alter total soil Cd and Pb concentrations, they markedly reduced their bioavailable fractions. This mitigation of heavy metal phytotoxicity significantly promoted maize growth and yield, with the high-dose HA treatment increasing yield by a maximum of 32.9%. Both amendments dose-dependently decreased Cd and Pb concentrations, bioconcentration factors (BCF), and translocation factors (TF) in all maize tissues, particularly in the grains. At equivalent application rates, PF was slightly more effective than HA in reducing heavy metal concentrations in the grains. Notably, a significant positive correlation was observed between Cd and Pb concentrations across all plant parts, confirming a synergistic accumulation and translocation mechanism. This synergy provides a physiological explanation for the broad-spectrum immobilization efficacy of these humic substances. In conclusion, applying HA and PF presents a dual-benefit strategy for increasing yield and reducing risks in Cd- and Pb-contaminated farmlands. This study proposes a differentiated application approach: PF is the preferred option when ensuring food-grade safety is the primary goal, whereas high-dose HA is more advantageous for maximizing yield in soils with low-to-moderate contamination risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Qi Liu & Xuchao Sun & Sheng Wang & Rongteng Zhao & Lanfeng Li & Jijiang Zhou & Li Bao & Wenbing Zhou & Naiming Zhang, 2025. "Impacts of Humic Acid and Potassium Fulvate on Cadmium and Lead Accumulation and Translocation in Maize ( Zea mays L.) Grown in Co-Contaminated Soil," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:19:p:2064-:d:1762720
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Liyuan Mu & Hongyin Zhou & Ke Yang & Junlei Wang & Sijing Sun & Zhengli Lu & Lijuan Wang & Naiming Zhang & Li Bao, 2025. "Effect of Biochar-Based Organic Fertilizer on the Growth of Maize in Cadmium-Contaminated Soil," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-19, February.
    2. Qi Liu & Sheng Wang & Jijiang Zhou & Li Bao & Wenbing Zhou & Naiming Zhang, 2025. "Accumulation and Transport of Cd, Pb, As, and Cr in Different Maize Varieties in Southwest China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-23, January.
    3. Hanru Ren & Jun Ren & Ling Tao & Xuechang Ren & Yunmeng Li & Yuchen Jiang & Mairong Lv, 2024. "Potential of Attapulgite/Humic Acid Composites for Remediation of Cd-Contaminated Soil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-14, June.
    4. Masoumeh Asadi Aghbolaghi & Mohammad Sedghi & Raouf Seyed Sharifi & Beata Dedicova, 2022. "Germination and the Biochemical Response of Pumpkin Seeds to Different Concentrations of Humic Acid under Cadmium Stress," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-15, March.
    5. Ewa Mackiewicz-Walec & Marzenna Olszewska, 2023. "Biostimulants in the Production of Forage Grasses and Turfgrasses," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-33, September.
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