Abstract
Abstract Chromium (Cr) toxicity is becoming one of a major issue for the cultivation of crops. Toxicity of Cr directly affects synthesis of chlorophyll and restricts Fe intake, which decreases crop growth. It is well documented that the reduction of Cr toxicity through the application of biochar. However, current experiment was carried out to investigate any positive effect of, banana peel waste biochar (BC) and foliar application of Fe (FFe) on growth and chlorophyll content of Spinacia oleracea L. under different levels of Cr toxicity. Seeds of Spinacia oleracea L. were grown under three levels of Cr i.e. control (Cr0), Cr35 (35 mg Cr kg−1 soil) and Cr70 (70 mg Cr kg-1 soil). Analyzed data confirmed that Spinacia oleracea L. seeds grown in 1% BC amended soils and 1000mM FFe, showed significantly better growth, Fe uptake and chlorophyll content as compared to control at Cr35 and Cr70. A significant improvement in shoot length (16.9 and 26.9%), root length (16.3 and 20.9%), plant fresh (15.5 and 28.3%) and dry weight (70.3 and 77.8%) as compared to control under Cr35 and Cr70, respectively, validated the efficacious functioning of 1% BC and FFe to mitigate Cr toxicity in Spinacia oleracea L. It is concluded that both 1% banana peel waste BC and 1000mM FFe have potential but sole application of FFe is more effective to alleviate Cr toxicity in Spinacia oleracea L. Fortification of Fe by foliar application is more effective comparative to banana peel waste biochar for improvement in growth, chlorophyll content and accessory pigments synthesis in spinach under chromium (IV) toxicity.
Highlights
Chromium (Cr) is the 2nd largest abundant pollutant that significantly contributes towards environmental pollution (Schiavon et al 2007; Singh et al 2013)
Statistical analysis confirmed that the effects of various levels of Cr and treatments (T) were significant for shoot length, root length, plant fresh and dry weight of Spinacia oleracea L. (Table 2)
A significant maximum reduction of 34.9 and 53.7% in electrolyte leakage in leaves of Spinacia oleracea L. was noted as compared to control where foliar application of Fe (FFe) was applied at Cr35 and Cr70, respectively
Summary
Chromium (Cr) is the 2nd largest abundant pollutant that significantly contributes towards environmental pollution (Schiavon et al 2007; Singh et al 2013). It has been observed that Cr (VI) is an acute toxic form of Cr that is usually associated with oxygen i.e. chromate or as dichromate (Shanker et al 2005). Every year a large amount of Cr-rich effluent generated by many industries is disposed on agricultural lands (Adriano 1986; Sharma et al 2005). Combustion of coal, oil, metallurgical industries and chemical industries wastes are continuously contributing towards degradation of soil via higher accumulation of Cr (Adriano 1986). Toxic derivatives of Cr usually hampered growth attributes in plants by causing damage to chlorophyll content and poor intake of nutrients
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