Impact of Foliar Applied Metals ContaminatedDust on Crop Growth and Soil Health

Dust contaminated with metal ions caused pollution in soil and vegetation alongside roads.The study aimed to evaluate the effect of foliar-applied heavy metal-contaminated dust on the growth, physiology, and enzymatic activities of maize and sugarcane crops in the pot experiment.Dust collected from 0 (44 g), 10 (39 g), 60 (24 g), and 120 meter (9 g) distances from the M4 motorway, Faisalabad, Pakistan, was applied by hand to plants weekly.The plant growth, physiology, and enzymatic activity were recorded after the 40 and 80 days, while metal contamination in plant and soil was analyzed in an atomic absorption spectrophotometer after the crops harvest.Results show that foliar application of 44 g dust significantly reduced growth parameters like plant height, root length, and shoot fresh and dry weight in both crops.Photosynthetic and transpiration rates, stomatal conductance, and internal carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) declined with the 44 g dust application rate.The maximum enzyme activity of superoxidase dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase was recorded at treatment receiving a 39 g dust.Plant roots, shoots, and leaves have retained maximum concentrations of cadmium and zinc than lead, copper, and nickel at a 39 g dust application rate.