Comparative Evaluation of Compost Amendments for Heavy Metal Reduction in Polluted Soil Using Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination of agricultural soil due to industrial and urban activities poses a serious threat to crop safety and environmental sustainability. The present study investigates the effectiveness of different compost amendments in reducing heavy metal content in polluted soil cultivated with fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). Fenugreek was grown in polluted soil amended with vermicompost, NPK fertilizer, and municipal compost prepared by Indore Municipal Corporation, along with an untreated polluted soil control and an organically cultivated reference soil. Heavy metal concentrations in soil and plant tissues were analysed to evaluate the remediation potential of each treatment. Results demonstrated that compost-amended soils exhibited significantly lower heavy metal availability compared to untreated polluted soil. Among the treatments, vermicompost and municipal compost were more effective in reducing metal accumulation than inorganic fertilizer. The study highlights the potential of compost-assisted cultivation of fenugreek as an eco-friendly and sustainable approach for mitigating heavy metal contamination in polluted agricultural soils