Potential role of apple wood biochar in mitigating mercury toxicity in corn (Zea mays L.)
Mercury (Hg) is a very toxic decomposition-resistant metal that can cause plant toxicity through bioaccumulation and oxidative damage. Biochar, derived from organic waste and agricultural garbage, is an on-site modification technique that can improve soil health in heavy metals-polluted regions. The...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651323011235 |
| _version_ | 1797648337018552320 |
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| author | Qahreman Abbasi Latifeh Pourakbar Sina Siavash Moghaddam |
| author_facet | Qahreman Abbasi Latifeh Pourakbar Sina Siavash Moghaddam |
| author_sort | Qahreman Abbasi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Mercury (Hg) is a very toxic decomposition-resistant metal that can cause plant toxicity through bioaccumulation and oxidative damage. Biochar, derived from organic waste and agricultural garbage, is an on-site modification technique that can improve soil health in heavy metals-polluted regions. The present experiment was designed to explore the role of apple biochar in the management of mercury toxicity in corn (Zea mays cv. ‘PL535’). Different levels of biochar derived from apple wood (0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, and 7.5% w/w) along with different Hg concentrations (0, 20, 40, and 60 mg/L) were used in the experiment that was based on a completely randomized design. Based on the results, HgCl2 at all rates reduced root and shoot dry weight and length, tolerance index, chlorophyll a and b content, the Hill reaction, and dissolved proteins and increased shoot and root Hg content (up to 72.57 and 717.56 times, respectively), cell death (up to 58.36%), MDA level (up to 47.82%), H2O2 (up to 66.33%), dissolved sugars, and proline. The results regarding enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants revealed increases in total phenol and flavonoids content (up to 71.27% and 86.71%, respectively), DPPH free radical scavenging percentage, and catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity (up to 185.93% and 176.87%, respectively), in corn leaves with the increase in the Hg rate applied to the culture medium. The application of biochar to the substrate of the Hg-treated corns reduced Hg bioavailability, thereby reducing Hg accumulation in the roots (up to 76.88%) and shoots (up to 71.79%). It also reduced the adverse effect of Hg on the plants by increasing their shoot and root dry weight, photosynthesizing pigments, Hill reaction, and APX activity and reducing cell death, H2O2 content, and MDA content. The results reflected the capability of apple wood biochar at all rates in reducing Hg bioavailability and increasing Hg fixation in Hg-polluted soils. However, it was most effective at the rate of 7.5%. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T15:30:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-06c51f51d71f45b8b5873aa0467c5c70 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0147-6513 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T15:30:41Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety |
| spelling | doaj.art-06c51f51d71f45b8b5873aa0467c5c702023-10-27T04:23:41ZengElsevierEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety0147-65132023-11-01267115619Potential role of apple wood biochar in mitigating mercury toxicity in corn (Zea mays L.)Qahreman Abbasi0Latifeh Pourakbar1Sina Siavash Moghaddam2Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Urmia University, Urmia, IranDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran; Correspondence to: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Urmia University, Urmia 5756151818, Iran.Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, IranMercury (Hg) is a very toxic decomposition-resistant metal that can cause plant toxicity through bioaccumulation and oxidative damage. Biochar, derived from organic waste and agricultural garbage, is an on-site modification technique that can improve soil health in heavy metals-polluted regions. The present experiment was designed to explore the role of apple biochar in the management of mercury toxicity in corn (Zea mays cv. ‘PL535’). Different levels of biochar derived from apple wood (0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, and 7.5% w/w) along with different Hg concentrations (0, 20, 40, and 60 mg/L) were used in the experiment that was based on a completely randomized design. Based on the results, HgCl2 at all rates reduced root and shoot dry weight and length, tolerance index, chlorophyll a and b content, the Hill reaction, and dissolved proteins and increased shoot and root Hg content (up to 72.57 and 717.56 times, respectively), cell death (up to 58.36%), MDA level (up to 47.82%), H2O2 (up to 66.33%), dissolved sugars, and proline. The results regarding enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants revealed increases in total phenol and flavonoids content (up to 71.27% and 86.71%, respectively), DPPH free radical scavenging percentage, and catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity (up to 185.93% and 176.87%, respectively), in corn leaves with the increase in the Hg rate applied to the culture medium. The application of biochar to the substrate of the Hg-treated corns reduced Hg bioavailability, thereby reducing Hg accumulation in the roots (up to 76.88%) and shoots (up to 71.79%). It also reduced the adverse effect of Hg on the plants by increasing their shoot and root dry weight, photosynthesizing pigments, Hill reaction, and APX activity and reducing cell death, H2O2 content, and MDA content. The results reflected the capability of apple wood biochar at all rates in reducing Hg bioavailability and increasing Hg fixation in Hg-polluted soils. However, it was most effective at the rate of 7.5%.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651323011235BiocharHg fixationHill reactionPhenol contentTotal flavonoid |
| spellingShingle | Qahreman Abbasi Latifeh Pourakbar Sina Siavash Moghaddam Potential role of apple wood biochar in mitigating mercury toxicity in corn (Zea mays L.) Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Biochar Hg fixation Hill reaction Phenol content Total flavonoid |
| title | Potential role of apple wood biochar in mitigating mercury toxicity in corn (Zea mays L.) |
| title_full | Potential role of apple wood biochar in mitigating mercury toxicity in corn (Zea mays L.) |
| title_fullStr | Potential role of apple wood biochar in mitigating mercury toxicity in corn (Zea mays L.) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Potential role of apple wood biochar in mitigating mercury toxicity in corn (Zea mays L.) |
| title_short | Potential role of apple wood biochar in mitigating mercury toxicity in corn (Zea mays L.) |
| title_sort | potential role of apple wood biochar in mitigating mercury toxicity in corn zea mays l |
| topic | Biochar Hg fixation Hill reaction Phenol content Total flavonoid |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651323011235 |
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