Interactive Effect of Lead (Pb) and Biochar on the Growth Response of Morus alba
摘要
Contamination of soil and water by heavy metals is increasing as a result of various human activities. Lead (Pb) is an obvious example of a prospective heavy metal that neither fundamental nor hardly performs any role in cell metabolism but is easily retained in various parts of a plant. Biochar is an organic compound best defined as a “soil conditioner” created by the pyrolysis of C-based feedstocks (biomass). Morus alba is a unique plant due to its broad geographical distribution and ability to be cultivated in various forms. The main objective of this study was to examine the growth response of M. alba in response to Pb stress in biochar added soil. This experiment was conducted at the Department of Forestry and Range Management Research Area, UAF. The M. alba seedlings were treated with different Pb concentrations and biochar. Biomass distribution, morphological and physiological traits were identified. All the morphological traits (root length, shoot length, plant height, diameter at root collar) and biomass (root and shoot, fresh and dry mass) of M. alba were significantly declined when exposed to higher Pb. The highest Pb treatments exhibited greater Pb accumulation in plant roots (52.75 ± 0.92 mg/kg), shoots (37.67 ± 0.95 mg/kg), and leaves (34.75 ± 0.44 mg/kg). Chlorophyll content was greater at the start of the experiment (53.87 ± 2.51 mg/kg) and gradually decreased over time with the increase of Pb. This study suggested that M. alba could be successfully grown at a minimum to moderate Pb under biochar conditions.