The objective of this study was to determine the effect of zinc, copper and cadmium on phytomass and grain production and to evaluate indirectly the adsorbent effect of bentonite clay by determining the accumulation of these heavy metals in bean plants. The study consisted of three separate experiments (one for each cation) with the application of three doses of bentonite (0, 30 and 60 t ha-1) in pots containing separately 50 mg of Zn; Cu and Cd kg-1 of soil, with three replicates. Thus, each experiment consisted of 9 experimental units. In each one, a bean plant was cultivated and after 65 days, samples of leaves, stems, roots and grains were collected. Afterwards, the samples were dried, weighed, grinded and the concentrations of Zn, Cu and Cd were determined. The phytomass of leaves of the plant growing on the soil with Zn, the Zn concentration in the whole plant and the Cd concentration in the leaves, stem and grains were significantly influenced by the bentonite application. Zn and Cd concentration in leaves, stem and grains decreased with the application of bentonite, indicating a positive effect of the clay application to the soil on the adsorption of these metals, decreasing the availability for plants. Zn was the most accumulated element in the plant, followed by Cd and Cu. The Zn, Cu and Cd accumulation in the plant obeyed the following sequence: stem > leaves > grains > roots; roots > stem > grains > leaves; roots > stem > leaves > grains, respectively.
heavy metal; clay; Vigna unguiculata L.
