Nanoparticle-based soil amendments improve plant growth, development, and phytostabilization.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Soil Science
• Agronomy

Background:

• Nanoparticle-based soil amendments offer potential for phytoremediation and enhancing plant growth in contaminated environments.
• Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) is a vital crop susceptible to heavy metal contamination in soils.
• Improving soil health and reducing metal bioavailability are critical for sustainable agriculture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of nano-sized stilbite-zeolite (NSZ) and nanoblack-carbon (NBC) as soil amendments for durum wheat.
• To determine the optimal particle size and application rates of NSZ and NBC for improving plant growth and phytostabilization.
• To assess the impact of these amendments on soil properties, grain yield, and heavy metal accumulation in durum wheat.

Main Methods:

• Investigated varying particle sizes of NSZ (<0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm) and application rates of NSZ (4%, 8% w/w) and NBC (4%, 8% w/w).
• Co-applied fine-particle NSZ (<0.05 mm) and NBC at 8% (w/w) to durum wheat grown in contaminated soil.
• Measured soil cation exchange capacity (CEC), available phosphorus, grain yield, grain yield components, and heavy metal concentrations (Cd, Hg, As, Pb) in grains.

Main Results:

• The optimal treatment (fine NSZ + NBC at 8% w/w) significantly improved soil health, increasing CEC by 20.04% and available phosphorus by over 300%.
• Grain yield increased by 140.5% (from 1,057 to 2,544 kg ha⁻¹), with a notable rise in grains per spike (22.33 to 34.3).
• Specific treatments effectively reduced heavy metal uptake: NSZ (4%) decreased Cd and Hg by ~69%, while NBC (8%) reduced As and Pb by 55.8% and 42.1%, respectively, indicating successful metal immobilization.

Conclusions:

• Co-application of fine-sized NSZ and NBC is a highly effective strategy for enhancing durum wheat productivity in contaminated soils.
• These nanoparticle amendments improve soil physicochemical properties and significantly reduce the accumulation of toxic heavy metals in edible grains.
• The findings highlight the potential of NSZ and NBC as sustainable solutions for phytoremediation and improving crop quality on marginal lands.