Using Jerusalem artichoke to extract heavy metals from municipal sewage sludge amended soil

The aim of our research was to assess the effectiveness of phytoextraction of heavy metals from sewage sludge by ‘Rubik’ and ‘Albik’ varieties of Jerusalem artichoke. The 6-year field experiment involved four levels of fertilization with sewage sludge at doses of 0, 10, 20, 40, and 60 Mg DM sludge ∙ ha⁻¹. The research evaluated the amount of Jerusalem artichoke yield as well as the uptake and use of heavy metals by the Jerusalem artichoke varieties. It was established that increasing doses of sewage sludge had significantly increased the yield of the Jerusalem artichoke varieties. Increasing doses of sewage sludge also had a significant effect on the increase in the content of heavy metals in aboveground parts of plants. The highest heavy metal uptake with the yield of the Jerusalem artichoke varieties was observed at a dose of 60 Mg DM ∙ ha⁻¹. Among the tested varieties of Jerusalem artichoke, Albik had higher yield, higher content and uptake of heavy metals, and greater recovery of these elements as compared to Rubik. Therefore, based on the obtained research results, Albik can be recommended for phytosequestration of heavy metals from sewage sludge amended soil.