Effects of biochar on growth, photosynthesis, and chromium (Cr) uptake in Brassica rapa L. under Cr stress

Abstract

Chromium (Cr) is widely used in different industries like tannery industry which is a wide soil problem over the globe. The elevated level of Cr in cultivable lands may become a major threat to agriculture industry as well as for human beings. The present experiment was designed to explore the role of biochar in the management of Cr toxicity in Brassica rapa L. Three levels of biochar (0, 1, and 2%) along with the three levels of Cr (0, 100, and 500 μM) were used in the experiment followed by completely randomized design. The Cr stress in B. rapa plants reduced the photosynthesis and induced the oxidative damage which resulted in the reduction of plant growth. The biochar application markedly reduced the negative impacts of Cr on physicochemical attributes of plants under Cr stress and enhanced the biomass production significantly. The biochar application also reduced the Cr concentrations in plants which might be effective in reducing its entry into the food chain. It is concluded that the application of biochar in Cr-contaminated soil might be a good practice to manage the Cr stress in plants.