Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and pistachio husk biochar combination reduces Ni distribution in mungbean plant and improves plant antioxidants and soil enzymes

Abstract

Soil pollution with nickel (Ni) casts detrimental effects on the quality of crops. Low‐cost amendments can restrict Ni mobility in soil and its uptake by the plants. In this pot experiment, the effects of pistachio husk biochar (PHB) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the distribution of Ni in mung bean and its bioavailability in Ni‐spiked soil were evaluated. Plant parameters like Ni plant height, root dry weight, shoot dry weight, grain yield, chlorophyll contents, oxidative stress, Ni distribution in the roots, shoot, and grain, as well as the nutritional potential of grains, were measured on plants grown on Ni‐contaminated soil amended or not (control) with AMF, zeolite (ZE), PHB, ZE + AMF, and PHB + AMF. Moreover, DTPA (diethylenetriamine pentaacetate)‐extractable Ni in the soil, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), total glomalin (TG), extractable glomalin (EG), mycorrhizal root colonization (MRC), and the activities of soil enzymes (i.e. urease, acid phosphatase, and catalase) were also assessed after the plant harvest. With few exceptions, all treatments had significant effects on plant and soil parameters. The PHB + AMF treatment showed the topmost significant increment in plant physical parameters while reducing the Ni distribution in plant parts and oxidative injury. Based on these findings, it is proposed that PHB + AMF treatment can reduce Ni distribution and oxidative stress in mung bean plants and improve the biochemical compounds in grain.

Biochar and Chitosan Regulate Antioxidant Defense and Methylglyoxal Detoxification Systems and Enhance Salt Tolerance in Jute (Corchorus olitorius L.)

“…The activities of MDHAR and DHAR were also augmented by BC addition in maize plants under water deficit [ 47 ]. The activity of DHAR was also enhanced in mung bean plants under Ni-induced oxidative stress [ 60 ], and similar results were also reported by Haider et al [ 62 ] in pea in lead (Pb)-stressed plants. Increased APX activity was also reported in salt-treated soybean plants following BC and CHT supplementation [ 11 ], in agreement with the present findings.…”

“…The result was an upregulation of the AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG ratios and maintenance of redox balance. BC supplementation was also reported to increase the AsA content in mung bean plants grown in Ni-contaminated soil [ 60 ].…”

“…These results also agree with previous findings [ 7 , 23 ]. For example, APX activity was improved with BC amendment in Cd-stressed quinoa plants [ 50 ], in Ni-stressed mung bean plants [ 60 ], and in drought-stressed maize plants [ 47 ]. The activities of MDHAR and DHAR were also augmented by BC addition in maize plants under water deficit [ 47 ].…”

“…A profound increase in SOD and CAT activity by BC and CHT application was reported in Ni-stressed lentil plants, confirming enhanced ROS scavenging to protect the plants against oxidative damage [ 52 ]. Similarly, the application of BC increased SOD and CAT activities in Ni-stressed mung bean plants [ 60 ]. The activities of SOD, POD, and CAT were also increased in Cd-stressed quinoa plants following BC supplementation [ 50 ].…”

Application of cotton straw biochar and compound Bacillus biofertilizer decrease the bioavailability of soil cd through impacting soil bacteria

“…It may be due to that the application of cotton straw biochar improves the soil biochemical properties, creating a good soil micro-environment for soil microbes’ growth and metabolism. Thereby, soil enzyme activities are increased [ 44 , 45 ]. Compound Bacillus biofertilizer also increased soil enzyme activity in this study [ 46 ].…”