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Mechanisms of biochar-mediated alleviation of toxicity of trace elements in plants: a critical review

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Abstract

Trace elements (TEs) contamination is one of the main abiotic stresses which limit plant growth and deteriorate the food quality by their entry into food chain. In recent, biochar (BC) soil amendment has been widely reported for the reduction of TE(s) uptake and toxicity in plants. This review summarizes the role of BC in enhancing TE(s) tolerance in plants. Under TE(s) stress, BC application increased plant growth, biomass, photosynthetic pigments, grain yield, and quality. The key mechanisms evoked are immobilization of TE(s) in the soil, increase in soil pH, alteration of TE(s) redox state in the soil, and improvement in soil physical and biological properties under TE(s) stress. However, these mechanisms vary with plant species, genotypes, growth conditions, duration of stress imposed, BC type, and preparation methods. This review highlights the potential for improving plant resistance to TE(s) stress by BC application and provides a theoretical basis for application of BC in TE(s) contaminated soils worldwide.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support from the Government College University, Faisalabad and HEC (Higher Education Commission) of Pakistan is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Government College University, Allama Iqbal Road, 38000, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    Muhammad Rizwan, Shafaqat Ali, Muhammad Ibrahim & Tahir Abbas

  2. Department of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan

    Muhammad Farooq Qayyum

  3. Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan

    Muhammad Zia-ur-Rehman

  4. Korea Biochar Research Centre and Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 200-701, South Korea

    Yong Sik Ok

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  1. Muhammad Rizwan
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Rizwan, M., Ali, S., Qayyum, M.F. et al. Mechanisms of biochar-mediated alleviation of toxicity of trace elements in plants: a critical review. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 2230–2248 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-5697-7

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