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The effect of different doses of three carbamate pesticides (I, II, III), anaerobically digested sewagesludge,
and their mixture on the growth of some vegetables viz., tomato, brinjal, and potato planted in
illitic sandy loam soil of Aligarh district and on the concentration of Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Cr, Ni and Pb, in
vegetable parts of these vegetables was studied for seven years (2007-2013) in earthenware pots. The
results indicated that lower concentration of pesticides (0.2-0.3g kg-1 soil) and sewage sludge (3g kg-1
soil) enhanced the plant growth and yield of edible part as well. The effect of pesticides was in the order:
II > I > III. The mixture of sewage sludge and pesticides (I, II, III)had almost same effect as sewagesludge
alone. The concentration of heavy metals in the root parts were maximum and followed the crop
order: tomato > brinjal > potato. The results of this study also denote that continuous application of
sewage sludge for a long period causes initial increase in the shoot height, shoot weight crop yield
followed by decrease in the shoot height, shoot weight, and crop yield which may be due to phytoxicity
and/or non-availability of nutrients. With continuous application of pesticides for a long period there was
no appreciable change in the heavy metal concentration in stem, root and edible part of studied
vegetables), while with continuous application of sewage sludge for a long period causes a progressive
increase in the heavy metal concentration in stem, root and edible part of studied vegetables.
Key words: Carbamate pesticides, sewage sludge, vegetables, tomato, brinjal, potato.