Abstract

Contamination of soils with heavy metals, particularly cadmium (Cd), is an increasingly alarming environmental issue around the world. Application of organic and inorganic immobilizing amendments such as biochar and gravel sand in combination with metal-tolerant microbes has the potential to minimize the bioavailability of Cd to plants. The present study was designed to identify the possible additive effects of the application of Enterobacter sp. MN17 as well as biochar and gravel sand on the reduction of Cd stress in plants and improvement of growth and nutritional quality of pea (Pisum sativum) plants through the reduction of Cd uptake. Pea seeds were surface sterilized then non-inoculated seeds and seeds inoculated with Enterobacter sp. MN17 were planted in artificially Cd-polluted soil, amended with the immobilizing agents biochar and gravel sand. Application of biochar and gravel sand alone and in combination not only improved the growth and nutritional quality of pea plants by in situ immobilization but also reduced the uptake of Cd by plant roots and its transport to shoots. However, microbial inoculation further enhanced the overall plant health as well as alleviated the toxic effects of Cd on the pea plants. These soil treatments also improved rates of photosynthesis and transpiration. The combined use of biochar and gravel sand with bacterial inoculation resulted in an increase in plant height (47%), shoot dry weight (42%), root dry weight (57%), and 100 seeds weight (49%) as compared to control plants in Cd contaminated soil. Likewise, biochemical constituents of pea seeds (protein, fat, fiber, and ash) were significantly increased up to 41%, 74%, 32%, and 72%, respectively, with the combined use of these immobilizing agents and bacterium. Overall, this study demonstrated that the combined application of biochar and gravel sand, particularly in combination with Enterobacter sp. MN17, could be an efficient strategy for the remediation of Cd contaminated soil. It could support better growth and nutritional quality of pea plants.

Highlights

  • Soil contamination is a global problem with risks associated with human health and the environment.Heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), silver (Ag), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) are the most challenging, emergent soil contaminants being toxic to plants and dangerous to humans when consumed in agricultural produce [1,2,3,4]

  • The increase in growth compared with the control following the application of biochar was 16%, of gravel sand was 5%, and of biochar as well as gravel sand was 16%

  • MN17 alone showed an 11% increase in plant height as compared to the control, while when inoculation was combined with biochar, the increase was 40%; with gravel sand, was 32%; and with both, was 47%

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Summary

Introduction

Heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), silver (Ag), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) are the most challenging, emergent soil contaminants being toxic to plants and dangerous to humans when consumed in agricultural produce [1,2,3,4] Anthropogenic activities such as manufacturing industries, mining, and uncontrolled use of materials containing heavy metals in agriculture (including but not limited to fertilizers, pesticides, industrial effluents, and sewage sludge) are the most common sources of heavy metals in soil [5]. It enters the environment naturally through volcanic eruptions, rock weathering, and forest fires and anthropogenically through various activities such as ceramic waste materials, ore mining, processing of

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