Work

Synergistic effects of biochar and abscisic acid improved root morphology, antioxidant defense system and decreased availability and bioaccumulation of cadmium in Triticum aestivum (L.) under cadmium stress

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Biochar (BC) and abscisic acid (ABA) may have positive effects on metal-stressed plants but their interactive role for cadmium (Cd) availability in agricultural soils remained unclear which was evaluated in current study. The results depicted that Cd-induced oxidative stress significantly reduced the growth of wheat, physiology and antioxidant responses. Co-application of BC (2.5%) and ABA (20 μmol L -1 ) improved the wheat growth by minimizing Cd accumulation and translocation than their single use. The co-application of these amendments significantly increased the tissues biomass by 36%, total root volume (29%), root surface area (44%), Chl-a and Chl-b by 59% and 55% at 10 mg kg -1 Cd than control. Cd increased the proline, MDA and H 2 O 2 contents, while BC and ABA applications ameliorated Cd-induced oxidative injury by boosting the enzyme activities of catalase by 46%, ascorbate-peroxidase by 46% and peroxidase by 37% at 10 mg kg -1 Cd. The Cd treatment significantly increased Cd in soil, root and shoot tissues of wheat. Co-application reduced DTPA-extractable soil Cd by about 3-fold at 5 mg kg -1 and by about 1.8-fold at 10 mg kg -1 , as compared to respective controls. BC + ABA reduced Cd biological accumulation by 35% and 33% and Cd translocation by 21% and 9% at 5 and 10 mg kg -1 Cd levels than control. It was concluded that BC+ABA application significantly enhanced the growth of wheat, physiology, antioxidant enzymatic potential and minimized Cd bioaccumulation which may be an effective Cd immobilization strategy in soil. • Cadmium (Cd) alone caused the reduction in growth of wheat • Biochar+ABA increased the growth of Cd-stressed wheat • Biochar+ABA decreased Cd concentration in tissues of wheat • Biochar+ABA decreased soil bioavailable Cd concentration

Source: Environmental Technology & Innovation

DOI: 10.1016/j.eti.2025.104121