Effect of biochar on Pb, Cd and Cr availability and maize growth in artificial contaminated soil

Abstract

© 2019 This study was performed to investigate the effect of biochar manufactured from agriculture residues for the stabilization of lead, cadmium and chromium (Pb, Cd and Cr) in artificially contaminated soil. A surface loamy sand soil was spiked with Pb, Cd and Cr at 200, 400 and 600 mg kg−1. Thereafter, the spiked soil was treated with biochar at different rates of 0.0, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10% (weight basis) and incubated for 30 days. The treated soil was cultivated with maize plant (Zea mays) lasting 30 days. Addition of biochar significantly increased the soil reaction (pH), organic matter (OM) and nutrient content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N, P and K). Moreover, the addition..