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Synergistic effects of biochar and biostimulants on nutrient and toxic element uptake by pepper in contaminated soils
Author(s) -
AntónHerrero Rafael,
VegaJara Liliana,
GarcíaDelgado Carlos,
Mayans Begoña,
CamachoArévalo Raquel,
MorenoJiménez Eduardo,
Plaza César,
Eymar Enrique
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.11343
Subject(s) - biochar , amendment , fertilizer , nutrient , environmental science , agronomy , soil water , pepper , contamination , agriculture , bioavailability , soil contamination , biomass (ecology) , chemistry , biology , horticulture , ecology , bioinformatics , organic chemistry , pyrolysis , political science , soil science , law
BACKGROUND Nowadays a significant amount of land contaminated with toxic elements is being used for agriculture, posing a serious risk of crop contamination and toxicity. Several methodologies are being used to remediate soil contamination, including the use of amendments such as biochar. This work evaluated the effects of biochar combined with different fertirrigations (water, a conventional fertilizer solution, or a fertilizer solution with a commercial biostimulant derived from leonardite) on the availability of toxic elements and nutrients for pepper cultivated in a soil contaminated with As, Cd, Pb, and Zn. RESULTS Irrigation with fertilizer solutions improved plant growth regardless of the biochar amendment. Biochar decreased the bioavailability of Cu and Pb in soil and the Cu content in pepper leaves. Combined with fertilization, biochar also decreased plant As and Pb content. Biochar combined with biostimulant decreased the bioavailable content of Cd in soil and its uptake by pepper plants. CONCLUSION The use of biochar and biostimulant presented advantages for plant production in a non‐suitable scenario of nutrient scarcity and contamination. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.