Ameliorating effects of sunflower residues-derived biochar on mitigating the adverse effects of Pb and Cd on mung bean

Lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are trace elements known for potentially harming plants. Their toxicity can lead to increased oxidative harm, disturbance in plant metabolism, and deformation in plant structure. As a soil amendment, biochar (BC) effectively reduces heavy metal toxicity in polluted soils. To investigate the effects of BC derived from sunflower residues on mitigating the adverse impacts of Pb and Cd in mung bean (Vigna radiata Wilczek), a factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with three replications in greenhouse conditions. The factors included Pb at three levels (۰, ۱۰۰, and ۲۰۰ mg kg-۱ as Pb (NO۳)۲), Cd at three levels (۰, ۱۰, and ۲۰ mg kg-۱ soil as Cd (NO۳)۲), and BC at three levels (۰%, ۱%, and ۳% by weight). The results indicated that Pb- and Cd-induced stresses reduced all growth characteristics, such as shoot and root dry weights, and the number of active root nodules. The maximum soluble sugars (۰.۴۶ mg kg-۱) and proline content (۴۴.۷ µmol g-۱) were observed in the treatment with ۲۰۰ mg kg-۱ of Pb and ۲۰ mg kg-۱ of Cd without BC. Furthermore, applying BC decreased the concentration of Pb and Cd in the shoot by ۱۹.۱% and ۱۳.۸%, respectively, while enhancing all growth traits. Therefore, applying BC derived from sunflower residues is recommended as a promising and environmentally friendly approach to alleviating Pb- and Cd-induced stress in mung bean.

Keywords:

Growth characteristics Heavy metals , Soil amendment , Soil contamination