Shahzadi and colleagues investigated the effects of foliar-applied nano-biochar colloidal solution (NBS) on tomato plants under salt stress. Their study, published in Scientific Reports, explored the potential of NBS to improve plant growth, yield, and stress tolerance.

Salt stress is a major challenge for agriculture, affecting plant growth and productivity. The researchers found that foliar application of NBS could effectively mitigate the negative impacts of salt stress on tomato plants. The study showed that NBS improved plant height, 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, fruit count, and fruit weight under both non-stressed and stressed conditions. It also enhanced the levels of plant pigments, such as chlorophyll and carotenoids, which are essential for photosynthesis.

NBS also helped stabilize the plant cell membranes, reducing electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation, which are indicators of stress damage. Additionally, NBS enhanced the levels of primary and secondary metabolites, which play important roles in plant growth and defense. The study also found that NBS improved the activity of antioxidant enzymes, which help protect plants from oxidative stress caused by salt stress. The authors concluded that foliar application of NBS is a promising strategy to improve tomato productivity under salt stress conditions.

SOURCE: Shahzadi, J., Zaib-un-Nisa, N. A., Iftikhar, M., Shah, A. A., Ashraf, M. Y., Chao, C., Shaffique, S., & Gatasheh, M. K. (2025). Foliar application of nano 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 solution elevates tomato productivity by counteracting the effect of salt stress insights into morphological physiological and biochemical indices. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 3205. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87399-5