Patil, Dr.Bhardas.PSurve, Dr.S.PPatil, Dr.G.DJawale, Dr.S.MT. R, MR. SRINIVASA MURTHY2017-03-212017-03-2102-07-04http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810005584A pot culture experiment was conducted at Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, Agriculture College, Pune, during rabi season, year, 2003, with view to study heavy metals uptake and its effect on yield of carrot by using cadmium, lead, nickel and chromium levels @ 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5,10 and 12.5 mg kg'1. The results indicated that the application of cadmium, nickel and chromium at higher levels (> 7.5 mg kg"1) showed significant influence in the dry matter yield. The least shoot dry matter yield of carrot was observed in cadmium followed by chromium and nickel. However, highest reduction in root dry matter yield was recorded in chromium followed by nickel and cadmium. Effect of heavy metals on root growth revealed that application of cadmium at greater than 5 mg kg"1 decreased root length. However, nickel and chromium decreased the same at higher concentration (>7.5 mg kg" ). Root girth was increased at higher concentrations (> 10 mg kg" ) of heavy metals. Application of heavy metals had significantly influenced its uptake and nutrients. Nickel increased nitrogen content in carrot, chromium and nickel increased phosphorus uptake in plants. Whereas, application of lead and cadmium decreased phosphorus content in crop. Potassium content was also decreased by cadmium and chromium application. Nickel and cadmium were accumulated more in crop as compared to lead and chromium. Heavy metals were accumulated more in root portion as compared to shoot portion. Heavy metals did not effect soil pH, EC and organic carbon. From the study it was noticed that the application of heavy metals significantly influenced nitrogen fractions, available potassium, phosphorus and heavy metals in the soil. At harvest of the crop, significantly decreased in the nitrogen fractions were observed due to application of cadmium followed by lead, chromium and nickel. Application of heavy metals at higher concentrations (7.5 to 12.5 mg kg'1) invariably decreased available phosphorus and potassium content in soil. Available heavy metals concentration in soil were recorded high with the application of inorganic salts of heavy metals. Cadmium and nickel metals were available more in soil as compared to lead and chromium, which undergone fixation. At higher concentrationSjCadmium and nickel decreased microbial population in the soil.enThesis