CD

corn

Pb

polyacrylamide

Pollution

We studied the effects of modified polyacrylamide (MPAM) on plant-uptake of Cd and Pb in two agricultural soils of different textures that had been contaminated simultaneously with Cd and Pb. In a pot experiment under greenhouse conditions different doses of modified polyacrylamide (0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3%) were added to artificially polluted soils (sandy and sandy loam). Results indicated that soil pH gradually increased with the application of modified polyacrylamide in both soils. Soil EC significantly increased due to the addition of modified polyacrylamide in the sandy loam soil as compared to the control. The concentrations of Cd and Pb in plants grown in sandy loam soils were less than those planted in sandy soils. The addition of modified polyacrylamide to both soils significantly decreased Pb concentrations in corn roots and shoots. On the contrary, uptake of Cd by shoots was increased in pots containing 0.1% MPAM in both soils compared to those in the unamended soils. While Cd uptake by shoots was not affected by MPAM in soils as compared to those in the unamended soils. The transfer factor (TF) values of Pb were much less than those of Cd in the same treatments.