ADVANCE RESEARCH JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY DISCOVERIES

ISSN : 2456-1045
VOL.39 I ISSUE-1 I CHAPTER-8
PUBLISHER : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOUNDATION (IJF)

Inter-Relationships between soil-plant transfer coefficient, Plant uptake

factor and Translocation factor of heavy metals in roadside Grown wheat and
Maize in Sudan Savanna Ecology of Nigeria.
* Dr. ANONGO, M’EMBER CATHERINE1, Prof. UYOVBISERE, EDWARD ONIOVOSA2
1Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State.
2 Department of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Soil Chemistry/Root Exudates.

ABSTRACT
Phytoaccumulation of metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn) in roadside grown wheat and maize varieties (Pavon-76, Siettecerros, Zea
mays L. and Zea mays everta L.) and the toxicity and phytoremediation capability of the plants was investigated. Four
sampling sites, roadside (SU 1, SU 3) and distant sites (SU 2 and SU 4) were selected by principle to represent the level of
pollution near major traffic routes and were the reference sampling points. Whole plant metal levels of the four crops were
determined using the multi-elemental technique- Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescent (EDXRF) and double beam AAS at
A.B.U Zaria. Individual metal levels for each plant parts were also determined and used for computing the Plant uptake
factor (PUF), soil-plant transfer coefficient (TC) and translocation factor (TF) for each metal. Pearson correlation analyses
between the risk assessment factors of the metals were evaluated. Results revealed a positive significant (P<0.05) relationship
between PUF/TC and PUF/TF for Cr and Zn in Pavon-76 at SU 1, PUF/TC for Cr and Zn in the two species of Zea mays
L.(SU 3 and SU 4) and Cu in Siettecerros (SU 2) indicates special ability or strong selective ability of each of the crops to
accumulate certain metals. The inverse correlation between PUF/TC {-0. 0797=Cu at SU 1; -0.0317=Cd at SU 3}, PUF/TF {-0
.5926=Cd at SU 2; -0. 8058=Cr, -0. 6065=Cu, -0. 4492=Zn at SU 3} and TC/TF{-0. 2145=Cd; -0. 2675=Cr, -0. 0124=Cu at SU 4},
among the metals suggests a selective ability of each of these crops in accumulating theses metals and that the source of Cd,
Cr, Cu and Zn in the crops is mainly from the soil than from the atmosphere. The selected risk assessment factors have
proven useful in attempting to estimate the degree of uptake of these metals in the crops.

Keywords : Phytoaccumulation, metals, Pavon-76, Siettecerros, Zea mays L, Zea mays everta

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

I. INTRODUCTION
ISSN : 2456-1045 (Online)
Heavy metals in high concentrations can cause
(ICV-ERM/Impact Value): 72.30
severe phytotoxicity and may have significant influence
(GIF) Impact Factor: 5.188
Publishing Copyright @ International Journal Foundation
on the evolution of tolerant plant populations. Therefore,
Journal Code: ARJMD/ERM/V-39.0/I-1/C-8/JULY-2019 it is possible to identify metal-tolerant plant species from
Category : ENVIRONMENTAL RISK MANAGEMENT natural vegetation in field sites that are contaminated
Volume : 39.0/Chapter- VIII/Issue -1 (JULY-2019) with various heavy metals [1]. Hyperaccumulation of
Journal Website: [Link] metals have been found in temperate as well as tropical
Paper Received: 30.07.2019 regions throughout the plant kingdom, but is generally
Paper Accepted: 09.08.2019 restricted to endemic plant species growing on
Date of Publication: 20-08-2019 mineralized soil and related rock types [2]
Page: 50-58 Heavy metals are chemical elements mostly with
density greater than 5g/cm3 found in all kinds of soils,
Name of the Corresponding author: rocks and water in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.
Dr. ANONGO, M’EMBER CATHERINE* The very low general level of their content in soils and
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pure and plants as well as the definite biological roles of most of
Applied Sciences, Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State them makes them microelements [3]. They occur in typical
background concentrations in these ecosystems. However
CITATION OF THE ARTICLE anthropogenic releases can result in higher concentrations
of these metals relative to their normal background
Catherine A.M. ; Oniovosa U.E. (2019) values. When these occur, heavy metals are considered
Inter-Relationships between soil-plant serious pollutants because of toxicity, persistence and
transfer coefficient, Plant uptake factor and nondegradable conditions in the environment, thereby
Translocation factor of heavy metals in constituting threat to human beings and other forms of
roadside Grown wheat and Maize in Sudan
Savanna Ecology of Nigeria ; Advance
biological life. [4] – [8]
Research Journal of Multidisciplinary The soil-plant interface acts as a barrier that limits
Discoveries; 39(8) pp. 50-58 transmission of many heavy metals through the soil-crop-
animal food chain, with the exception of Cd, Zn, Mo,

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 ADVANCE RESEARCH JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY DISCOVERIES ISSN : 2456-1045 (ONLINE)

and Se. Heavy metal pollution of soil entails plant uptake four sampling sites by correlation analysis; usage of risk
causing accumulation in plant tissues and eventual assessment factors to evaluate possible health risks to
phytotoxicity and change of plant community [9] – [11] The humans through food chain transfer and; to understand
mechanism of uptake of trace elements by plants is the uptake pathway of these metals in the cereal crops.
essentially by root uptake and by foliar absorption,
including deposition of particulate matter on the plant II. MATERIALS AND METHODS
leaves. Given the foregoing, it is imperative to continue to
The selection of sampling sites and sampling units
conduct research on heavy metals and their impacts on
were by principle to represent the level of pollution in
the environment and propose ways by which the negative
regions and towns with highest level of pollution, and also
impacts can be mitigated. One of such studies is reported
determined by possible pollutants at specific regions of
in this paper.
interest [19]. This study being an ecotoxicological research,
A convenient way for quantifying the relative all sampling sites were selected by principle to represent
differences of bioavailability of metals to plants is the the level of pollution near major traffic routs and were
transfer quotient. So for human Health Risk Index (HRI), reference sampling points [19]. The bulk of the land space of
transfer quotient should be assessed [12]. The transfer Kano state is classified as the Sudan Savannah and a small
quotient for Cd and Cu were higher than other for metals, portion of Sahel Savannah in the extreme north-eastern tip
such as Pb and Fe [13] . The higher transfer quotient of of the State. [20] The study area located in rural setting was
heavy metal indicates the stronger accumulation of the chosen because it was devoid of any industrial,
respective metal by that vegetable. Transfer quotient of 0.1 commercial and residential activities except the presence of
indicates that plant is excluding the element from its tissues the major highway – Kano-Zaria Highway, in order to
[14], [15] also argued that the greater the transfer coefficient, assess trace metal levels in the crop plants due to
especially for values than 0.50, the greater the chances that atmospheric pollutants.
vegetables will be subject to metal contamination by The research was conducted at Kadawa across the
anthropogenic activities and so the need for environmental southern Sudan savannah zone of Kano State. The global
monitoring of the area will be required [16]. Therefore, positioning system (GPS) was used in recording the
assessing the concentrations of pollutants in different coordinates of the sampling units. Table 1 shows the
components of the ecosystem has become an important task decimated latitudes and longitudes readings of the
in preventing risk to natural life and public health. sampling sites. Two sampling units SU 1 (Pavon-76 farm)
However, heavy metal behaviour still differs at a distance of 50metres and SU 3 (yellow maize farm) at a
individually and other soil physical properties, like texture, distance of 100metres from the Kano-Zaria Highway
might play an important role in heavy metal behaviour in respectively represented the experimental site, Doruwa
soils. Today it is commonly accepted that soil type plays an Salau. Doruwa Salau has minimal residential and
important role in heavy metal bioavailability and toxicity commercial activities and at close proximity to the
[17] [18]. However, many ecotoxicological studies have highway at a distance of 345.79metres with extensive
reported that heavy metals in plants are largely from the cultivation of rice, maize, millet, guinea corn, cowpea,
soil. The use of roadside grown cereal crops in a rural garden egg, water melon and wheat along the roadside.
setting devoid of urbanization except the presence of a The site had an average daily traffic density of 19,288,
major Highway in this study is to view ecotoxicity beyond being the main exit from Kano State to various major
the soil with respect to atmospheric pollution. The towns of the country. At the Irrigation Research Station
significance of this study is to also emphasize the role of the (IRS), the control site, two sampling unit SU 2 (Siettecerros)
risk assessment factors or techniques in predicting potential at a distance of 1934.61metres and SU 4(popcorn) at a
transfer of metals in food chain contamination and the level distance of 2184.61metres from the Kano-Zaria Highway
of toxic stress in the most widely consumed varieties of were selected. The control site has been extensively used
wheat and maize in northern Nigeria. Furthermore, to by private institutions, government researchers and both
evaluate their roles as passive bioindicators and/or corporate and international research institutes and had an
biological monitors due to their ability to assimilate metals average daily traffic density of 3. Both sites are significant
from the surrounding environment, and as potential phyto- for dry season (irrigation) farming and have irrigation
remediators of polluted agricultural lands. However, there channels connected to the Hadejia – Jama’are River Basin
is no empirical data on the interrelationship between the Dam which empties into the Tiga dam that provides water
three selected risk assessment factors of selected metals on for dry season irrigation of farmlands within and outside
roadside grown wheat and maize in a Sudan ecological the irrigation research station, Kadawa.
zone in Nigeria. This is because majority of risk assessment A total of 288 plant samples and 208 corresponding
techniques focus on uptake of chemicals from mine tailings, soil samples were collected from four sampling units. Four
sludge or biosolids by vegetables. crops namely Triticum aestivum – wheat (Pavon- 76 or
Samwhit-6) and Zea mays - yellow maize (2:95 TZEE- Y),
Therefore, the objectives of this present study was to
Triticum aestivum – wheat (Siettecerros or Samwhit-5) and
investigate the existence of any relationships between the
Zea mays everta – popcorn were collected in a completely
selected toxicity factors or risk assessment factors
randomized block design setup. Four replicate samples
(PUF/TC, PUF/TF,TC/TF) for each metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb,
each of leaves, stems and roots of the four crops were
Zn) in the roadside grown cereal crops designating the
obtained at six selected growth stages namely 15 days
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 ADVANCE RESEARCH JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY DISCOVERIES ISSN : 2456-1045 (ONLINE)

(germination or seedling), 30 days (tillering), 45 days Methods. The computed TC, PUF and TF for both
(shooting and booting), 60 days (earring or heading), 75 experimental and control sites are presented in Tables 2, 3,
days (flowering and grain formation) and 90 days 4 and 5. Furthermore, the correlation coefficients among
(maturity). Plant samples from both maize and wheat were the pairs of the factors (TC, PUF and TF) to establish the
harvested forthnightly according to the growth stages existence of any relationship were determined and the
rather than by calendar days because the growth rates of outcomes presented in Table 6.
the cultivars were slightly dissimilar. The leaves, stems
Coefficient analyses between PUF/TF, TC/TF
and roots each of the four crops were placed under
and TC/PUF for Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn are shown in Table
running tapwater to washed off soil particles, separated
6. There was positive significant relationship (p < 0.05)
and placed in large paper bags to air-dry at room
between the PUF/TF for Cr in Pavon-76 and Cu in
temperature and later ground using a grinding mill model
Siettecerros. The PUF and TF signify the ability of plant to
Foss Cyclotec TM 1093 based on TecatorTM technology. The
accumulate trace metals [25] , [26]. Transfer factors can be
ground plant samples were then well packaged in
used to estimate a plant’s potential for phytoremediation
readiness for laboratory analyses. The soil samples were
purpose. According to [27] - [30], crops absorbed and
collected in triplicates using a soil auger at the maximum
transport metals from the soil, and stored them in the
sampling depth of 25cm and taken to the laboratory where
aerial plant parts. However, in contrast to this research, the
they were air-dried and grounded into smooth powder
existence of a relationship between PUF and TF for Cr and
using a porcelain mortar and pestle. The trace metal
Cu (Pavon-76 farm closest (345.79m) to the Highway (SU 1)
contents of the four crops and the corresponding soil
and Siettecerros farm at distance of 1934.61m from the
samples were determined. The concentrations of Cr, Cu
Highway (SU 2) indicates special ability of the crop to
and Zn were determined using the multi-elemental
absorb and transport Cr and Cu from the polluted
technique- Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescent (EDXRF)
atmosphere as well as storing them in the aerial plant parts
at Center for Energy Research (CERT), while the
resulting to higher concentration of metals in the leaves.
concentrations of Cd and Pb were determined using the
double beam spectrophotometer at National Animal Also there was significant positive relationship
Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Ahmadu Bello between PUF/TC for Zn in Pavon-76, for Cr in Zea mays L.
University, Zaria. and Zn in (yellow maize) and Zea mays everta L.. The
significant relationship between the TC/PUF for Zn and Cr
III. DATA ANALYSIS AND in T. aestivum var. Pavon -76 farm closest (345.79m) to the
GRAPHICAL PRESENTATION Highway (SU1), Zea mays L.- yellow maize farm at distance
of 345.79m from the Highway (SU 3) and Zea mays everta L.
The data for trace metal analyses was used to work - popcorn farm farthest from the Highway at a distance of
out the risk assessment factors namely soil-plant transfer 2184.61m (SU 4) suggests that the levels of Cr and Zn in the
factor (TC), plant uptake factor (PUF) and translocation crops came from both the atmosphere and the soil as
factor (TF). TC was calculated by dividing the earlier mentioned.
concentration of a metal in the cereal crop (DW) by the
total metal concentration in the soil [21]- [23], [1]. The non – existence of a significant relationship
between the TF/TC shows that a larger percentage of the
Content of heavy metal in plant (mg·kg-1) stem trace metal levels in the two cultivars each of Triticum
TC = ------------------------------------------------------------- aestivum and Zea mays L. could be of atmospheric origin.
Content of heavy metal in soil (mg·kg-1) There were no values for correlations between TC/PUF
and PUF/TF in Siettecerros, yellow maize and popcorn for
PUF = Cp/Cso, where, Cp and Cso are metal Pb. Soil Pb was not detected during the trace metal
concentrations in aerial parts of the plant (μg g-1) and in analysis, which was the reason for no PUF values.
soil (μg g-1), respectively [24, 1].
There was inverse correlation between TC/TF,
TF = Cs/Cr, where, Cs and Cr are metal PUF/TF and TC/PUF for certain metals at the four
concentrations (μg g-1) in the shoot and root, respectively. sampling sites reflecting that the concentration of such
In all cases, a greater than unity value indicates metals in the cereal crops occurs independently of each
anthropogenic contamination, while a ratio close to unity other. For instance, in the case of TC/TF the analysis
or less than one indicates natural sources. Pearson shows that the metal levels in the plant transferred from
correlation coefficient analysis was used to investigate the the soil is independent of the metals translocated from the
relationship among the toxicity factors. roots to the soil. Similarly, the metal levels in the aerial
plants (leaf and stem) was independent of the metal levels
IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION in the soil-root phase with respect to routes of
contamination (PUF/TF and PUF//TC).
The leaves, stems, roots of Triticum aestivum L. var.
Pavon-76, Siettecerros, Zea mays L. var. yellow maize and Correlation between TC/TF was negative for Cu
Zea mays everta L. var. popcorn and soils metal levels were and Pb at SU 1; Cd at SU 2 and for Cd, Cr, Cu and
used to compute the plant uptake factor (PUF), significant difference for Pb at SU 2. The negative
translocation factor (TF) and soil-plant transfer coefficients correlation remarks that the proximity of SU 1 at a distance
(TC) as represented in the equations in Materials and of 345.79m to the Kano-Zaria Highway with its high traffic

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density is independent of the high levels of Pb and Cu important role in heavy metal behaviours like heavy metal
particulates in the soil. Copper is used as components of mobility, bioavailability and toxicity in the soils and plants
vehicle lubricating oils. It is also used in the manufacture [17], [18]. In this study, the textural class with moderate pore

of some components of vehicle engines [31]. Pb is added to spaces contributed to retaining the dissolved forms of the
fuel as an anti-knocking component for smooth running of metals in the soils. However, the slightly acidic pH values
the car engine. Similarly, the inverse relationship for Cd at obtained in the present study caused the increased
SU 2 reveals a far-distance transport or dispersal of Cd at immobility of metals in the soils, thus explaining the
SU 2 at a distance of 1934.61m from the Highway resulting positive significant relationship of Cr and Zn in Pavon-76
to lower Cd levels in the soil. for sandy clay loam, Cu in Sietteceros for sandy loam soils,
Cr in Zea mays L., and Zn in Zea mays L. for sandy loam
A higher inverse correlation and significant value for
and Zea mays everta L. in sandy clay loam soils among the
Cu at SU 3 and high value for Cr shows the influence of
risk assessment factors. Furthermore, the organic matter
traffic density and distance in the TC/TF values, since Cu
content (Table 7) could have bounded the metals in non-
and Cr are components of vehicular parts. The closer the
leachable forms thereby reducing their mobility [41] , [35].
sampling site to the highway- a direct source of pollution,
The study area which is devoid of commercial, industrial
the higher the deposition, absorption and assimilation of
and residential activities except for the presence of a major
metals from the aerial plant parts to the soil resulting to
highway suggests that, it might have attained or reached a
subsequent translocation from roots to stems. In contrast, a
state of equilibrium where no further change takes place.
lower value for Cd and Pb levels in Zea mays L. was
influenced by meteorological factors like wind [32], mobile The total amount of heavy metals is usually not an
nature of the particulates [33] resulting to wider dispersion. accurate indication of phytotoxicity. The metals in water
The dominant wind direction and speed is also due to the soluble and exchangeable fractions would be readily
presence of the Tiga dam around the site. available to higher plant roots and thus are a better
indicator of immediate phytotoxicicty [42].
Cd and Pb had a low inverse correlation for TC/TF
while Cr and Cu had a lower inverse correlation all at SU
V. CONCLUSION
4, reflects the influence of distance, for instance the farther
the sampling site from the Highway, the lower the value In this study, the positive significant (P<0.05)
and vice-versa. Zea mays everta L. is the farthest sampling relationship between PUF/TC and PUF/TF for Cr and Zn
site from the Highway at a distance of 2184.61m. in Pavon-76 at SU 1, PUF/TC for Cr and Zn in the two
species of Zea mays L.(SU 3 and SU 4) and Cu in
The negative correlation between PUF/TF was
Siettecerros (SU 2) indicates special ability or strong
observed at SU 2 for Cd (-0.5926) shows that Cd levels in
selective ability of each of the crops to accumulate certain
Pavon-76 is derived from the aerial plant parts and
metals. The inverse correlation among the risk factors
translocated from the soil through the root to the stem.
(PUF/TF, PUF/TC and TC/TF) for Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn
However, the influence of distance is non-evident in this
reflects their origin from the soil than from the atmosphere
case. This could be related to the species’ (Siettecerros)
and selective ability of all the four crops in accumulating
ability to accumulate Cd. The uptake of contaminants by
these metals from the soil as well as from the
plants is a complex biological process and there is no
[Link] Pavon-76, siettecerros and popcorn have
accurate theoretical robustic method for predicting the
phytoextractor potentials for bioremediation approach to
concentration of contaminants in plant materials [34]. reclaim lands polluted with metals. However, non-edible
However, empirical formulas have been derived by cultivars of these crops should be developed to study their
numerous sources to simulate contaminant uptake by hyper-accumulation and phytoextraction potentials for
plants [34]. certain metals. The risk assessment methods could also be
The physical and chemical parameters of the soils used as a diagnostic tool in monitoring traffic density
obtained from SU 1, SU 2, SU 3 and SU 4 sampling units in pollution damage to agricultural crops.
the study area are shown in Table 13. Soil factors like pH, Table 1: GPS readings of the four Sampling Units
particle size distribution, textural class, organic matter,
Sampling
CEC, cultivars, climatic factors and water used for Units
GPS readings
irrigation in the study area influenced the proportion of A = N11O38.68’; E008O38.167’; Elevation = 1615ft
soil metals [35], [36]. The mobility and availability of heavy CONTROL B = N11O 38.626’; E008O25.815’; Elevation = 1620ft
metals in soil are generally low, especially when soil is SITE SU 2 C = N11O38.698’; E008O25.841; Elevation = 1608ft

high in pH, clay and organic matter [37] , [38] as well as the D = N11O38.646’; E008O25.866’; Elevation = 1614ft

growth stages [39], [40], [35]. pH values in this study ranged A = N11O38.601’; E008O25.916’; Elevation = 1615ft
from 4.66 – 6.41 indicating slightly acidic soils (Table 2). B = N11O38.547’; E008O25.937’; Elevation = 1608ft
SU 4
The optimum pH range for most plants is between 5.5 and C = N11O38.608’; E008O25.932’; Elevation = 1606ft
7.0; however, many plants have adapted to thrive at pH D = N11O38.554’; E008O25.954’; Elevation = 1609ft
A = N11O39.776’; E008O25.191; Elevation = 1627ft
values outside their range. Metal mobility has also been
EXPERIMENT B = N11O39.742’; E008O25.207’; Elevation = 1635ft
shown to increase with decreasing soil pH. The pH and
AL SITE SU 1
textural class of the soils probably increased the levels of C = N11O39.759’; E008O25.240’; Elevation = 1616ft
and SU 3
Cr, Cu and Zn in these cultivars. Texture plays an D = N11O39.790’; E008O25.230’; Elevation = 1626ft

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Table 2: Transfer Coefficient (TC) of the Pavon-76 and Yellow Maize at the Six growth stages at Doruwa Salau closest to the
Kano-Zaria road (Experimental Site)
Growth stages,
Species, Trace Metal (mg/kg)
Sites Cd Cr Cu Pb Zn
A1 0.6729 0.0407 0.1495 3.2553 2.0011
A3 0.2999 0.0200 0.0658 1.6330 0.5504
B1 0.4265 0.0305 0.1632 6.3222 0.1372
B3 0.2086 0.0061 0.0815 3.6414 0.4586
C1 0.3940 0.0330 0.1946 1.0133 0.8045
C3 0.4172 0.0297 0.2038 0.5216 1.1315
D1 0.3225 0.0294 0.1634 2.6799 0.1395
D3 0.4062 0.0216 0.0541 1.3347 0.0741
E1 0.4860 0.0193 0.1796 2.0449 0.6421
E3 0.6960 0.0328 0.3002 2.5523 0.8053
F1 0.7618 0.0272 0.1526 1.2765 0.1138
F3 0.8267 0.0451 0.2210 3.9682 0.1088
KEY SOURCE: PhD THESIS 2015
A = 15 days (germination stage) 1 = Pavon-76 at Doruwa Salau,
B = 30 days (tillering stage) 3 = Yellow Maize at Doruwa Salau,
C = 45 days (shooting stage)
D = 60 days (heading stage)
E = 75 days (flowering stage)
F = 90 days (ripening stage)

Table 3: Transfer Coefficient (TC) of Siettecerros and Popcorn at the Six growth stages at the Irrigation Research Station
(IRS) (Control site)

Growth stages,
Species, Trace Metal (mg/kg)
Sites Cd Cr Cu Pb Zn

A2 0. 1382 0. 0137 0. 1265 1. 5383 0. 5449

A4 0. 8062 0. 0370 0. 0588 6. 3751 3. 3876
B2 0. 5683 0. 0259 0. 1359 3. 9784 0. 0603
B4 1. 1942 0. 0607 0. 3545 4. 8655 0. 2666
C2 0. 4005 0. 0223 0. 1688 2. 2816 0. 4931
C4 1. 0901 0. 0421 0. 2092 2. 7253 1. 6746
D2 1. 1137 0. 0607 0. 3051 3. 7462 0. 4043
D4 0. 6440 0. 0348 0. 3001 1. 6443 0. 2240
E2 0. 8394 0. 0302 0. 2338 2. 0983 0. 7811
E4 0. 3828 0. 0299 0. 0777 0. 5615 1. 3516
F2 0. 3110 0. 0335 0. 1389 2. 1568 0. 1080
F4 0. 4678 0. 0536 0. 1321 2. 4951 0. 1634

KEY SOURCE: PhD THESIS 2015

A = 15 days (germination stage) 2 = Siettecerros at the IRS
B = 30 days (tillering stage) 4 = Popcorn at the IRS
C = 45 days (shooting stage)
D = 60 days (heading stage)
E = 75 days (flowering stage)
F = 90 days (ripening stage)

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Table 4: The Plant Uptake factor (PUF) and translocation factor (TF) of the Cereal Crops with respect to the six Growth
Stages at Doruwa Salau (Experimental Site – S1).

Growth Cd Cr Cu Pb Zn
Stages,
Sites, PUF TF PUF TF PUF TF PUF TF PUF TF
Crops

A1 2. 357 1. 8 0. 213 6. 535 6. 098 8. 796 400 0. 625 2. 616 0. 990

A3 2. 46 2 0. 127 0. 944 0. 525 1. 214 5. 25 0. 285 0. 716 1. 377
B1 2. 545 2 0. 091 0. 583 4. 741 1. 087 45 1. 166 0. 127 0. 370
B3 0. 666 0. 4 0. 047 6 2. 518 1. 360 1300 0. 774 0. 401 0. 847
C1 1. 384 1 0. 134 1. 053 2. 232 0. 838 3. 5 0. 363 1. 196 1. 642
C3 1. 375 0. 8 0. 119 1. 035 7. 403 0. 849 3 0. 75 1. 320 0. 715
D1 1. 538 1. 333 0. 138 0. 933 5. 935 0. 864 23 3. 5 0. 180 1. 248
D3 5. 5 2 0. 148 0. 506 1. 887 1. 591 5. 375 10.333 0. 091 1. 121
E1 3. 636 1. 667 0. 139 1. 005 6. 725 1. 204 6. 125 0. 75 1. 010 1. 183
E3 1. 714 0. 416 0. 142 1. 049 49. 6 0. 779 9 1. 5 1. 685 2. 537
F1 3. 058 1. 272 0. 167 0. 823 0. 893 1. 282 5. 75 2 0. 176 1. 116
F3 1. 8 1. 142 0. 219 0. 606 2. 276 0. 987 720 1. 166 0. 119 0. 669

SOURCE: PhD THESIS 2015

Underlined numbers = soil Pb was not detected, PUF not computed
Bolded numbers = Highest and lowest value

KEY
A = 15 days (germination stage) E = 75 days (flowering stage) 1 = Pavon-76 at Doruwa Salau,
B = 30 days (tillering stage) F = 90 days (ripening stage) 3 = Yellow Maize at Doruwa Salau,
C = 45 days (shooting stage) D = 60 days (heading stage)

Table 5: The Plant Uptake factor (PUF) and translocation factor (TF) of the Cereal Crops with respect to the six Growth
Stages at the Irrigation Research Station IRS (Control Site – S2)

Growth Cd Cr Cu Pb Zn
Stages,
Sites, PUF TF PUF TF PUF TF PUF TF PUF TF
Crops

1. 307 1. 666 0. 126 0. 955 1. 888 0. 750 880 1. 45 0. 524 0. 715

A2
3. 1 1.333 0. 134 2. 476 2. 585 0. 519 900 0. 95 4. 748 2. 600
A4
1. 692 2. 428 0. 123 0. 811 0. 643 0. 617 1780 5. 333 0. 044 0. 067
B2
3. 230 1. 5 0. 160 1. 246 9. 091 0. 305 620 0. 625 0. 343 1. 042
B4
2 0. 571 0. 109 1. 058 3. 982 0. 685 25. 5 7. 666 0. 690 3. 272
C2
2. 285 0. 33 0. 121 0. 940 3. 958 1. 567 560 1. 714 2. 548 0. 914
C4
2. 285 0. 833 0. 130 0. 894 1. 555 0. 750 660 5 1. 428 2. 636
D2
2 0. 75 0. 193 0. 858 0. 826 0. 336 400 1. 5 0. 227 0. 446
D4
3. 636 1 0. 136 0. 943 7. 606 2. 557 16 2 0. 849 0. 587
E2
1. 375 2 0. 136 1. 020 0. 336 0. 115 220 60 1. 959 3. 725
E4
1. 263 2. 666 0. 153 1. 108 3. 189 0. 798 880 2. 5 0. 148 0. 380
F2
2 2. 5 0. 322 1. 051 1. 505 1. 350 720 1. 666 0. 187 1. 789
F4

SOURCE: PhD THESIS 2015

Underlined numbers = soil Pb was not detected, PUF not computed
Bolded numbers = Highest and lowest value

KEY
A = 15 days (germination stage) E = 75 days (flowering stage) 2 = Siettecerros at the IRS,
B = 30 days (tillering stage) F = 90 days (ripening stage) 4 = Popcorn at the IRS
C = 45 days (shooting stage) D = 60 days (heading stage)

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Table 6: Correlation Coefficient Analyses Between PUF/TF, TC/TF and TC/PUF

Risk Assessment Heavy Metals
Sampling Units
Techniques Cd Cr Cu Pb Zn
PUF/TF SU 1 0 .4737 0 .8210* 0. 3377 0. 2345 0. 2114
TC/TF SU 1 0 .1090 0. 7204 -0. 5322 -5. 3895 0. 1473
TC/PUF SU 1 0 .5356 0. 4695 -0. 0797 0. 9712 * 0.9958*
PUF/TF SU 2 -0 .5926 0. 2925 0. 8909* ND 0. 6699
TC/TF SU 2 -0 .4537 0. 1725 0.3505 0.5206 0. 2849
TC/PUF SU 2 0. 6858 0. 2912 0. 2336 ND 0. 6026
PUF/TF SU 3 0. 1230 -0. 8058 -0. 6065 ND -0. 4492
TC/TF SU 3 -0. 3594 -0. 7316 -0. 9082* -0. 2960 0. 2560
TC/PUF SU 3 -0.0317 0. 9140* 0. 7534 ND 0. 8915*
PUF/TF SU 4 -0. 2145 -0. 2675 -0. 0124 ND 0. 4699
TC/TF SU 4 -0. 6020 -0. 0642 -0. 0985 -0. 5950 0. 4731
TC/PUF SU 4 0. 7817 0. 4285 0. 6257 ND 0. 9986*

*0.05
PUF = Plant Uptake Factor
TF = Translocation Factor
TC = Soil-plant transfer coefficient
SU 1 = Wheat (Pavon-76) on DoruwaSalau at close proximity to the Kano-Zaria road
SU 2 = Wheat (Siettecerros) at the Control Site (Irrigation Research Station-IRS), Kadawa
SU 3 = Yellow Maize on DoruwaSalau at close proximity to the Kano –Zaria road
SU 4 = Popcorn at the Control Site ( Irrigation Research Station-IRS), Kadawa

Table 7: Physicochemical Parameters of Soils from Doruwa Salau at close proximity to the Kano- Zaria road and from the
Irrigation Research Station before sowing

pH % % % Textural H20 HCL % % CEC

Site Sand Silt Clay Class 1:1 1:1 OC OM

SU 1 62. 9 15. 2 21. 9 Sandy Clay loam 6. 41 5. 77 0. 88 1. 50 7. 25

SU 2 75. 5 12. 4 12. 1 Sandy loam 5. 48 4. 66 0. 65 1. 12 5. 9

SU 3 71.6 13.5 14. 9 Sandy loam 5.75 4. 86 1. 82 1. 05 6. 3

SU 4 60. 5 17. 2 22. 3 Sandy clay loam 6. 21 5. 40 0. 78 1. 36 8. 01

KEY
SU 1 = Wheat (Pavon-76) on DoruwaSalau at close proximity to the Kano-Zaria road
SU 2 = Wheat (Siettecerros) at the Control Site (Irrigation Research Station-IRS), Kadawa
SU 3 = Yellow Maize on DoruwaSalau at close proximity to the Kano –Zaria road
SU 4 = Popcorn at the Control Site ( Irrigation Research Station-IRS), Kadawa

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