Evaluation of biochar as a soil amendment on the accumulation of cadmium on lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

Abstract

Abstract Heavy metals decrease the plant health and production. It is important to provide a solution to reduce the absorption of heavy metals by plants. Application of biochar is useful for contamination rectification of heavy metals in soil. This 2-year (2018–2019) study was in order to investigation of biochar on the reduction of cadmium absorption in polluted soils on lettuce. The experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment was carried out in the form of a completely randomized design with 3 replications. The treatments were: biochar at two levels (0 and 5 v/v), cadmium at four levels (0, 10, 20, 30 ppm). The highest dry matter weight 11.25 g, was seen in biochar and control of cadmium and the lowest dry matter weight 6.39 g, was related to control of biochar and cadmium 30 ppm. The highest root dry weight 1.44 g, was observed in biochar and control of cadmium and the lowest root dry weight 0.54 g, was related to control of biochar and cadmium30 ppm. The plants yield was reduced in cadmium treatments. Biochar increased lettuce yield compared to control and due to the high absorption of heavy metals by biochar, it can be said it was a suitable choice as a soil amendments and reduced absorption of cadmium by plants.