Abstract

RODRIGUEZ ORTIZ, Juan Carlos et al. Trace elements in fertilizers and manure used in organic and conventional agriculture. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2014, vol.5, n.4, pp.695-701. ISSN 2007-0934.

Fertilizers and manures are the major sources of crop nutrients. Their composition of trace elements and transfer into soil by these means has been poorly studied in Mexico. Arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in nine nutrient sources used in organic and conventional agroecosystems; vermicompost, compost, Chilean nitrate, phosphate rock, urea, calcium nitrate, diammonium phosphate (DAP), triple superphosphate (TSP) and potassium sulphate. The results show that DAP, TSP, phosphate rock and vermicompost have the highest concentrations of As, Cd and Pb, while Hg was detected only at low concentrations in TSP. Urea, calcium nitrate and potassium sulphate obtained the lowest concentrations. However, vermicompost is the material incorporating most trace elements into the soil when taken as a source of 100 kg N ha^-1, the estimated quantities were 17 139, 2 190 and 76 176 mg ha^-1 of As, Cd and Pb, respectively. If used as a source of P₂O₅ or K₂O, there will be higher trace elements transfer into the soil.

Keywords : sustainable agriculture; soil contamination; agricultural inputs; heavy metals; fertilizer unit.

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