In the journal Environmental Technology & Innovation, Feng Lin and team explore how 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 and abscisic acid can reduce cadmium (Cd) toxicity in wheat plants. The study investigates the individual and combined effects of biochar and abscisic acid on wheat growth, physiological traits, and antioxidant responses under cadmium stress.  

Cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity and food safety. It can disrupt essential plant functions, leading to reduced growth and yield. In this study, the researchers aimed to find a solution to decrease Cd accumulation in wheat tissues by reducing Cd bioavailability in the soil.  

The experiment involved growing wheat plants in Cd-contaminated soil with and without biochar and abscisic acid treatments. Biochar, a carbon-rich substance, has been shown to reduce heavy metal toxicity in plants. Abscisic acid, a plant hormone, can also help plants cope with stress.  The results showed that the combined application of biochar and abscisic acid was more effective than individual treatments in alleviating Cd toxicity. The combined treatment significantly improved plant growth, root morphology, and physiological functions, while also reducing Cd accumulation and translocation in wheat plants. Specifically, the combined treatment increased tissue 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 36%, total root volume by 29%, and root surface area by 44% compared to the control.  

Furthermore, the combined treatment enhanced the antioxidant defense system in wheat plants, reducing oxidative stress caused by Cd. This study highlights the potential of biochar and abscisic acid as a sustainable strategy to mitigate Cd toxicity and improve wheat production in contaminated soils.  

SOURCE: Lin, F., Malik, Z., Masood, N., Rizwan, M., Hamoud, Y.A., Shaghaleh, H., Noreen, S., & Yong, J.W.H. (2025). Synergistic effects of biochar and abscisic acid improved root morphology, antioxidant defense system and decreased availability and bioaccumulation of cadmium in Triticum aestivum (L.) under cadmium stress. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 38, 104121.