The experimental layout was designed in a completely randomized
design of 21 treatments with three replicates of each.
Pots spiked with B[a]P had treatments with no planting in
order to observe non-plant facilitated dissipation of B[a]P.
Plastic pots of 12.5 cm in height were used for the present
study. One kilogram of each spiked soil was placed in each
pot. One seedling of Z. mays with uniform size of about 3 to
4 cm, three leaves, and about 3 weeks old purchased from
Vegetable Plant Direct, UK were transferred into each pot.
Pots were watered when required with tap water to maintain
the soil moisture during plant growth, and the leachates from
all pots were collected using the tray and returned to the soil.