Pongamia pinnata L. Leaves Biochar Increased Growth and Pigments Syntheses in Pisum sativum L. Exposed to Nutritional Stress

Abstract

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) leaf chlorophyll and pigments syntheses are retarded under nutritional stress. Biochar has the potential to regulate soil nutrient supplies and optimize plant nutrient uptakes. We examine the role of Pongamia pinnata L. waste leaf biochar (PLB) in improving vegetative growth and leaf chlorophyll and accessory pigments of pea exposed to nutritional stress. Three PLB application rates (0, 1, and 2%) crossed with half (HF), and full NPK fertilizer (FF) recommended doses were applied to sandy soil field-pots (arranged in a completely randomized design). There were significant or maximum increases in plant vegetative or physiological traits, including the fresh or dry, above- and below-ground biomass weights, and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, and anthocyanin) in response to a 2%PLB + FF application (p = 0.002). Trait values also responded to 2%PLB + HF, which signified the nutrient regulatory character of PLB (p = 0.038). The PLB-driven reduction in nutritional stress resulted in diminished lycopene (antioxidant) content (p = 0.041). Therefore, we suggest that the soil application of 2%PLB + FF has the greatest impact on pea vegetative growth and leaf chlorophyll, carotenoids, anthocyanin, and lycopene contents in Pisum sativum L. Further research is recommended to investigate the relationship of PLB with soil nutrient availabilities and plant nutrient concentrations.

Assessing the Effects of Biochar on the Immobilization of Trace Elements and Plant Development in a Naturally Contaminated Soil

“…Curiously, the concentrations of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll were significantly lower (p < 0.05) for MAPS amended with CWB than for the control soil after 31 days of incubation, but increased non-significantly at the end of the experiment. Hashmi et al [59] reported increments in chlorophyll pigments after the application of Pongamia pinnata L. leaf waste biochar in Pisum sativum L. exposed to nutritional stress. Danish et al [60] also found increments in chlorophyll content in spinach after the application of banana peel waste biochar to a soil contaminated with chromium.…”

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy vibrational bands study of Spinacia oleracea and Trigonella corniculata under biochar amendment in naturally contaminated soil

“…These pollutants are taken up by plants and eventually negatively impact many metabolic processes like photosynthesis, respiration, transportation, and nitrogen metabolism [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. These metals can critically affect photosynthesis by damaging the chlorophyll present within plant's chloroplasts [10]. Two basic chlorophylls (chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b) are involved in photosynthesis light reaction.…”

“…Biochar contains specific structural sites for the immobilization of heavy metals. The surface adsorption of metals on the carbonized material decreases heavy metals' mobility [10,14,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. In this way, food quality is also improved through BC treatment [23][24][25][26][27].…”

Application of sewage sludge combined with thiourea improves the growth and yield attributes of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes under arsenic-contaminated soil

“…Climate changes, environmental pollution, and ever-increasing population growth are major food safety concerns regarding human health [1]. Among abiotic stresses (i.e., drought, salinity, nutrition), heavy metals contamination deteriorate a large agricultural area [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Soil metal contamination is widespread worldwide in huge land areas, especially in Asian countries, including Pakistan [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20].…”