IMPACT OF Zea mays L. WASTE DERIVED BIOCHAR ON CADMIUM IMMOBILIZATION AND WHEAT PLANT GROWTH

The lethal consequence of cadmium (Cd) toxicity is a serious environmental concern in crops and food chain. Promising strategies for Cd immobilization are prerequisite to diminish its mobility through biochar. Present research highlights the laboratory and greenhouse- based study of production and quality assessment of biochar derived from maize (Zea mays L.) crop waste. Further, the effect of biochar on the growth of wheat plants under the cadmium stress was evaluated along with Cd bioaccumulation in shoots, roots, micro and macronutrients, and characterization of wheat plant roots grown in Cd-spiked soil. The biochar was prepared at 700 degrees C in a muffle furnace heating for 2 hours under anaerobic conditions. Different concentrations of biochar (BC) i.e., 0%, 1.5%, and 3% w/w, along with three different rates of Cd levels: 0, 10, and 20 mg/kg were used in pot culture experiment. The physiological and morphological parameters were analyzed after 75 days of harvesting. Amendments of biochar increased plant dry biomass by 55% at BC 1.5% and 68% at BC 3%, while biochar enhanced fresh biomass by 21% at BC 1.5% and 25% at BC 3%. It also reduced Cd in wheat shoots by 51% at BC 1.5% and 48% at BC 3%. Similarly, Cd reduction was recorded in wheat roots by 23% at BC1.5% and 51% at BC 3%. In addition, the maize derived biochar enhanced root length by 23% at BC 1.5% and 38% at BC 3%. Root surface area was enhanced by 39% at BC 1.5% and 92% at BC 3%, while root volume was increased by 54% at BC 1.5% and 72% at BC 3%. In summation, maize waste-derived biochar presented positive outcomes as soil amendments for enhancing the wheat plant growth and Cd immobilization and thus, reducing its bioavailability in the Cd-spiked soil to alleviate food security risks.