Supplemental Effects of Biochar and Foliar Application of Ascorbic Acid on Physio-Biochemical Attributes of Barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) under Cadmium-Contaminated Soil

Samia Yaseen, Syeda Fasiha Amjad, Nida Mansoora, Shameem Kausar, Huma Shahid, Saad A. M. Alamri, Sulaiman A. Alrumman, Ebrahem M. Eid, Mohammad Javed Ansari, Subhan Danish and Rahul Datta
Additional contact information
Samia Yaseen: Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Punjab 38000, Pakistan
Syeda Fasiha Amjad: Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Punjab 38000, Pakistan
Nida Mansoora: Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Punjab 38000, Pakistan
Shameem Kausar: Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Punjab 38000, Pakistan
Huma Shahid: Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Punjab 38000, Pakistan
Saad A. M. Alamri: Biology Department, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 61321, Saudi Arabia
Sulaiman A. Alrumman: Biology Department, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 61321, Saudi Arabia
Ebrahem M. Eid: Biology Department, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 61321, Saudi Arabia
Mohammad Javed Ansari: Department of Botany, Hindu College Moradabad, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University Bareilly, Moradabad 244001, India
Subhan Danish: Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Punjab 60800, Pakistan
Rahul Datta: Department of Geology and Pedology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, 61300 Brno, Czech Republic

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 16, 1-17

Abstract: Biochar, prepared from organic waste materials, can improve the quality of contaminated soil areas. Biochar can be used as an economic centerpiece over other available resources and can properly utilize large amounts of waste. Soil contaminated with cadmium (Cd) is a worldwide problem that poses potential agricultural and human health hazards. Moreover, Cd toxicity causes serious problems for sustainable food production, especially in food crops like barley. High cadmium concentration in soil is phytotoxic and decreases plant growth and ultimately yields. Biochar and ascorbic acid in ameliorating Cd stress are economically compatible and consistent approaches in agriculture. The present study aimed to evaluate biochar’s and foliar-applied ascorbic acid’s influence on some growth and biochemical characteristics of barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) to Cd stress. The soil was supplemented with biochar 2% w/w and 20 mg Cd kg ?1 . The foliar application of 30 mM ascorbic acid was done on plants. The results revealed that Cd stress decreased chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids. It also increased oxidative stress indicators, i.e., APX, COD, POD, flavonoids, anthocyanin, phenolics, and electrolyte leakage, in barley with Cd-contamination. A significant enhancement in root and shoot length, gas exchange attributes, and chlorophyll contents validated the effectiveness of Bio + Asa treatments over all other treatments under Cd contamination. In conclusion, the sole applications of biochar and Asa in Cd contamination are also effective, but Bio + Asa is a better amendment for Cd stress alleviation in barley plants.

Keywords: biochar; physiological attributes; growth attributes; antioxidants; barley; ascorbic acid; cadmium-contaminated soil (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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