The Potential Effectiveness of Biochar Application to Reduce Soil Cd Bioavailability and Encourage Oak Seedling Growth

Abstract

Today, it is very important to protect plants in soils contaminated with metals. We investigated the behavior of cadmium during the establishment of oak seedlings (Quercus castaneifolia C.A. Mey.) under biochar influence. This study was conducted in pots with loamy soil. Cadmium was added to soil at 0, 10, 30, and 50 mg per kg of soil, indicated by Control, Cd10, Cd30 and Cd50. Biochar was produced at 500–550 °C from rice husk and added at 1, 3, and 5% (wt/wt) levels, indicated by B1, B3, B5, and mixed with soil at planting in three replications. Generally, increasing biochar rates had significant effects on seedling height, diameter, and biomass. This coincided with Cd immobilization in the contaminated soil which reflects a decrease in Cd concentrations in the plant bioavailability of Cd. The tolerance index increased significantly, by 40.9%, 56%, and 60.6% in B1, B3, and B5 with Cd50, respectively, compared to polluted soil. The percent of Cd removal efficiency for Cd50 was 21%, 47%, and 67% in B1, B2, and B5, respectively. Our study highlights that biochar can reduce Cd bioavailability and improve the growth of oak seedlings in contaminated soil.