In a recent study published in Scientific Reports, Ghulam Murtaza, Najmaldin Ezaldin Hassan, Muhammad Usman, and their international team investigated a promising dual-action strategy to combat lead (Pb) pollution and salinity in agricultural soils: the synergistic application of Broussonetia papyrifera-derived biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More (BP-BC) and selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) during barley cultivation. Contamination of cropland with heavy metals like lead affects a significant portion of the world’s arable land and population, posing severe threats to food security and public health. In Pakistan, specifically, lead pollution from irrigation water sources like the Sadiqia canal exacerbates the challenge for crucial crops such as barley.

The research team conducted field trials in Pb-polluted saline soils using varying levels of SeNPs (0, 10, and 20 mg L⁻¹) and BP-BC (0, 5, and 10 t ha⁻¹). BP-BC was produced by pyrolyzing Broussonetia papyrifera waste at 450°C, a fast-growing and abundant plant. The SeNPs (50 nm particle size, 99.9% purity) were applied as a foliar spray. The findings demonstrated remarkable improvements in soil physicochemical and microbiological attributes. BP-BC alone significantly enhanced soil properties. For instance, BP-BC at 10 t ha⁻¹ reduced soil pHpH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. A pH of 7 is neutral, while lower pH values indicate acidity and higher values indicate alkalinity. Biochars are normally alkaline and can influence soil pH, often increasing it, which can be beneficial More by 5.98% and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) by 29.71% compared to the control. It also substantially boosted microbial biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More by 149.11% and CO₂ influx by 119.59% at the 10 t ha⁻¹ rate. While SeNPs alone showed marginal impacts on these soil parameters, their combined use with BP-BC at 10 t ha⁻¹ and 10 mg L⁻¹ SeNPs led to an impressive 170.59% increase in microbial biomass. This synergistic effect improved soil aeration, water retention, and nutrient availability, fostering a healthier environment for plant growth.

Crucially, the combined application of SeNPs and BP-BC dramatically mitigated lead accumulation in barley plants. SeNPs (20 mg L⁻¹) alone reduced Pb buildup in barley shoots by 60.39% and in seeds by 49.40%. However, the combined treatment of SeNPs (20 mg L⁻¹) and BP-BC (10 t ha⁻¹) resulted in even more significant reductions: 73.88% in shoots and 59.89% in seeds. This indicates a powerful synergistic effect in reducing Pb translocation and uptake from contaminated soil to edible plant parts.

The amendments also positively influenced the plant’s physiological and biochemical responses. The activity of antioxidant enzymes, vital for combating oxidative stress induced by lead and salinity, increased substantially. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity rose by 55.21% and Catalase (CAT) activity increased by 36.30% with BP-BC at 10 t ha⁻¹. The combined treatment of SeNPs (20 mg L⁻¹) and BP-BC (10 t ha⁻¹) led to an 86.79% enhancement in APX levels and a 69.11% decrease in H₂O₂ levels, demonstrating reduced oxidative stress. Furthermore, nutrient uptake in leaves improved, with a 63.79% decrease in Na accumulation and a massive 949.87% increase in K accumulation, alongside significant rises in Zn (240.30%) and Mg (139.70%) with the 10 t ha⁻¹ BP-BC and 20 mg L⁻¹ SeNPs combination.

The ultimate measure of success, barley grain yield, saw remarkable improvements. Sole BP-BC application increased grain yield by 39.11%. However, the combination treatment of BP-BC (10 t ha⁻¹) and SeNPs (20 mg L⁻¹) led to an 80.20% increase in grain yield compared to the untreated control. This highlights the efficacy of this synergistic approach as an environmentally sustainable soil supplement. In conclusion, the findings strongly advocate for the combined use of Broussonetia papyrifera-derived biochar and selenium nanoparticles as a viable and eco-friendly strategy for remediating lead-polluted saline soils. This integrated approach not only improves soil quality and reduces heavy metal contamination but also significantly enhances barley plant resilience and yield, presenting a sustainable solution for agriculture in challenging environments.

Source: Murtaza, G., Hassan, N. E., Usman, M., Zaman, Q. U., Rizwan, M., Deng, G., Ahmed, Z., Majeed, A., Iqbal, J., Elshikh, M. S., AlKubaisi, N., Ahmad, S., Gurbanova, L., Iqbal, R., Malaga-Tobola, U., & Gancarz, M. (2025). Combine effects of Broussonetia papyrifera-derived biochar and selenium nanoparticles for lead-polluted saline soils remediation during barley cultivation. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 26837.