Growth tolerance, concentration, and uptake of heavy metals as ameliorated by silicon application in vegetables.

Heavy metals' effects on different cereal crops have been studied extensively. However, such studies on vegetables are rare. The current study assessed the role of silicon in alleviating effects of heavy metals on growth and biomass in three leafy vegetables: spinach, kale, and amaranths grown in soils contaminated with lead and cadmium. The study presents a new approach to enhanced safe vegetable production, responsive to increasing urbanization, industrialization, pollution, and human population.