Combined effects of biochar and chicken manure on maize (Zea mays L.) growth, lead uptake and soil enzyme activities under lead stress

Abstract

The goal of the present work was to evaluate the additive effects of biochar and chicken manure on maize growth in Pb-contaminated soils. In this study, we conducted a pot experiment to investigate how biochar in soil (20, 40 g·kg−1), chicken manure in soil (20, 40 g·kg−1), or a combination of biochar and chicken manure in soil (each at 20 g·kg−1) effect maize growth, Pb uptake, leaves’ antioxidant enzymatic activities, and soil enzyme activities under artificial conditions to simulate moderate soil pollution (800 Pb mg·kg−1). The results showed that all biochar and/or chicken manure treatments significantly (P < 0.05) increased maize plant height, biomass, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activity but decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content. These results indicated that amending the soil with biochar and/or chicken manure could alleviate Pb’s phytotoxicity. The biochar and/or chicken manure treatments remarkably decreased the Pb concentration in maize roots, stems, leaves, bioconcentration factor (BCF), translocation factor (TF), and available Pb concentration in the soil. Amending the soil with chicken manure alone was more effective at increasing maize growth and antioxidant enzymatic activity; the biochar treatment alone was more effective at inducing soil alkalinization and contributing to Pb immobilization. The combined use of biochar and chicken manure had an additive effect and produced the largest increases in maize growth, leaves’ antioxidant enzymatic activity, and soil enzyme activity. Their combined use also led to the most significant decreases in maize tissues Pb and soil available Pb. These results suggest that a combination of biochar and chicken manure was more effective at reducing soil Pb bioavailability and uptake by maize tissues, and increasing maize growth. This combination increased plant height by 43.23% and dry weight by 69.63% compared to the control.

Acid-Modified Biochar Impacts on Soil Properties and Biochemical Characteristics of Crops Grown in Saline-Sodic Soils

“…Concerning the effect of biochar on grain nutrient contents of maize and wheat plants, as shown in Figure 4, the application of CSMB increased plant N, P and K contents in both plants with average values of 77.48 mg•g −1 DW, 25.87 mg•g −1 DW and 3.5 mg•g −1 DW for wheat plants and 24.18 mg•g −1 DW, 12.25 mg•g −1 DW, and 2.98 mg•g −1 DW for maize plants, respectively. These results are in the same direction as [86]. Inal et al [87] reported that biochar application increased the growth and N, P, K, Ca, Zn, Cu and Mn concentrations of maize and bean plants.…”

Calcium-Rich Biochar Stimulates Salt Resistance in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) Plants by Improving Soil Quality and Enhancing the Antioxidant Defense

“…The applica-tion of biochar regulates the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes in pearl millet plants and therefore improves salt stress resistance [ 43 , 44 ]. The positive role of biochar in re-ducing oxidative stress was attributed to the reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, resulting in higher growth [ 43 , 45 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ]. The application of the highest dose of shrimp waste-derived biochar (2.5%) increased the soluble carbohydrates and proline by 75 and 60% and reduced MDA by 32% in comparison with the nonamended soil.…”

Effect of Ash from Salix viminalis on the Biomass and Heating Value of Zea mays and on the Biochemical and Physicochemical Properties of Soils

“…Varshney et al [54] and Cruz et al [33] have also emphasized that high ash doses applied may cause excessive soil salinity, thereby ultimately contributing to worse conditions for plant growth and root development. However, previous investigations conducted by Liu et al [1] and Romdhane et al [31] proved that wood-based ash applied in doses from 20 to 40 g kg −1 soil might positively affect Zea mays L. biomass. Differences observed for ash effects in the present study and experiments of the aforementioned authors are mainly due to the differences in the chemical composition of the analyzed ashes.…”

“…Zea mays L. belongs to the Poaceae family. Due to its high yield potential and nutritional value, it is cultivated in many regions across the world for food and feed production purposes [1,2]. It is also commonly used as a main energy crop for biogas production.…”

“…The use of ash in crop cultivation may elicit both positive and negative outcomes. A study conducted by Liu et al [1] demonstrated its positive effect when applied to soil in doses of 20 and 40 g kg −1 d.m. soil on the growth of Zea mays L. and the enzymatic activity of leadpolluted soil.…”