Biosorption of Heavy Metal Arsenic (AS) and Growth Promoting Efficacy of Marine Macroalga, Ulva fasiciata (L.) on Vigna radiata(L.) Seedlings

The impact of heavy metal Sodium arsenate on the growth,yieldand biochemical characteristics of Vignaradiata (L.) was determined.The addition of high concentrations of heavymetal resulted in decrease in the growth, biochemical andyieldcharacters of Vignaradiata.The marine macroalga,Ulvafasciata(L.)as liquid fertilizer and algal biomasswas screenedfor its heavy metal biosorptionand growth promoting effect. The supplementation with Ulvafasciataextractincreases the percentage of growth, yield and biochemical contentof Vignaradiata(L.)compared with control treatedwith Sodium arsenate alone. Maximumincrease in percentage of growth and yield parameters were observed at 20%Liquid Fertilizer and 15g algal biomass of U.fasciata treated seedling. The results led to confirm that marine macroalgaecould be used to remove the toxicity of heavy metal inpolluted environmentfor sustainable agriculture. It is an economic, cost-effective and safe alternate to existing commercial adsorbents of heavy metal.