Application of biogas slurry abate Pb metal uptake and oxidative stress in maize (Zea mays L.) by modulating seedling emergence, antioxidant defense, and root structural-functional traits.
Rehman HU, Mahmood A, Shahbaz M, Aslam Z
Phytoremediation
Compost-style soil amendments made from farm waste could be a low-cost, practical tool for smallholder farmers and market gardeners growing food on land with a history of industrial or traffic-related contamination.
Researchers tested whether a nutrient-rich liquid made from fermenting farm waste could help corn plants resist lead poisoning in contaminated soil. It worked remarkably well — the liquid locked lead into the soil so plants couldn't absorb as much of it, and the corn grew bigger roots, germinated better, and produced grain with far less lead in it. The plants also ramped up their own internal defenses against stress, essentially becoming more resilient.
Key Findings
Biogas slurry reduced lead concentration in maize roots, shoots, and grain by 68.17%, 55.17%, and 62.10% respectively.
Root surface area increased by 284.75% and root projected area by 258.46% compared to untreated controls, indicating dramatically improved root architecture.
Key stress-tolerance compounds increased substantially: total soluble proteins up 45.11%, total soluble sugars up 51.04%, alongside enhanced antioxidant activity.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Adding biogas slurry — a liquid byproduct of composting agricultural waste — to lead-contaminated soil dramatically reduced how much lead maize plants absorbed, cutting lead levels in roots, shoots, and grain by 55–68%. The treatment also boosted plant growth, stress tolerance, and root development.
Abstract Preview
Lead (Pb) contamination in soil significantly reduces crop productivity, presents considerable environmental and health hazards, and requires the development of effective remediation strategies. Th...
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Maize, also known as corn in North American English, is a tall stout grass that produces cereal grain. The leafy stalk of the plant gives rise to male inflorescences or tassels which produce pollen, and female inflorescences called ears. The ears yield grain, known as kernels or seeds. In modern ...