Effects of biochar on soil properties, heavy metal availability and uptake, and growth of summer squash grown in metal-contaminated soil

• DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2022.111097
• Publication Date: 2022-04-04T03:03:00Z
• Authors: Ehab A. Ibrahim; Mohamed A.A. El-S...; El-Metwally M. Selim
• Keywords: Bioconcentration; Casuarina; Casuarina equisetifolia

Pollution of agricultural soil with heavy metals is a serious hazard to the environment and human health. The application biochar can be cost-effective environmentally friendly way reduce metal bioavailability in contaminated soils thus their uptake by plants. A pot experiment was conducted evaluate effect three types (mango, Casuarina Salix as feedstocks) at two rates (2% 4% w/w) on characteristics, availability bioaccumulation plants, well growth summer squash grown highly polluted soil. results indicated that highest dry weight root shoot recorded lowest rate followed mango biochars. Compared untreated soil, adding decreased concentrations Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb Zn 25.7%, 52.1%, 12.1%, 32.3%, 31.0%, 85.0% 25.2% root, 37.2%, 66.9%, 24.3%, 40.2%, 42.0%, 89.2% 35.5% shoot, respectively. treatment found most effective reducing roots shoots. Also, this had significant reductions over bioconcentration factor translocation achieved varied significantly for different All applications increased pH, organic matter electrical conductivity compared It concluded has great potential amendment increasing immobilization, plant metals, enhancing