How Bacillus Faecalis and Biochar Help Reduce Arsenic Toxicity in Corn

Jim Crocker
12th July, 2024

How Bacillus Faecalis and Biochar Help Reduce Arsenic Toxicity in Corn

Applying a combination of Bacillus faecalis and composted biochar most effectively promoted key morphological traits in maize, including shoot length (A), root length (B), leaf length (C), and leaf width (D), mitigating the stunting effects of arsenic toxicity.

Image adapted from: Liao et al. / CC BY (Source)

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Jinggangshan University found that combining rhizobacteria and composted biochar (ECB) significantly improves maize growth under arsenic stress
  • The combined treatment of ECB and Bacillus faecalis increased maize plant height, shoot length, root length, and biomass by up to 99% compared to the control
  • This treatment also boosted chlorophyll content and essential nutrient uptake, enhancing the photosynthetic capacity and overall health of maize plants under arsenic stress
Arsenic (As) contamination is a significant environmental pollutant that adversely affects plant physiological processes, leading to stunted growth, low yield, and poor plant health. This study, conducted by researchers at Jinggangshan University, investigates how the combined use of rhizobacteria and composted biochar (ECB) can mitigate these adverse effects in maize plants cultivated under varying levels of arsenic stress[1]. Arsenic disrupts plant functions by impairing metabolic pathways at the physio-biochemical, cellular, and molecular levels, ultimately leading to reduced nutrient and water availability. Previous research has shown that various strategies can alleviate heavy metal toxicity in plants. For example, the combined use of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and rhizobacteria has been effective in mitigating nickel toxicity in fenugreek plants by improving root and shoot growth, chlorophyll content, and nutrient uptake[2]. Similarly, strigolactones and acidified biochar have shown promise in alleviating cadmium toxicity in radish plants by enhancing root and shoot length, plant fresh and dry weight, and chlorophyll content[3]. In this study, four treatments were applied: control, 0.5% composted biochar (0.5ECB), Bacillus faecalis (B. faecalis), and a combination of 0.5ECB and B. faecalis. These treatments were tested under three different arsenic levels (0, 300, and 600 mg As/kg soil) in a completely randomized design with four replications. The results demonstrated that the combined treatment of 0.5ECB and B. faecalis significantly improved maize plant height (~99%), shoot length (~55%), root length (~82%), shoot fresh weight (~87%), shoot dry weight (~96%), root fresh weight (~97%), and root dry weight (~91%) compared to the control under 600 mg As/kg soil stress. The study also revealed a notable increase in chlorophyll a (~99%), chlorophyll b (~81%), and total chlorophyll (~94%) in maize plants treated with 0.5ECB and B. faecalis under arsenic stress. This indicates an improvement in the photosynthetic capacity of the plants, which is crucial for their overall growth and productivity. Additionally, the shoot concentrations of essential nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were significantly higher in the combined treatment group compared to the control, further highlighting the potential of 0.5ECB and B. faecalis in alleviating arsenic stress. The mechanisms behind this improvement can be attributed to the individual and combined effects of rhizobacteria and composted biochar. Rhizobacteria, like Bacillus faecalis, enhance plant growth by promoting nutrient uptake, producing growth hormones, and suppressing diseases. Composted biochar, on the other hand, improves soil aeration, water retention, and nutrient cycling. Its porous structure supports beneficial microorganisms, thereby increasing nutrient uptake and resilience to stressors. These findings align with previous research that demonstrated the effectiveness of rhizobacteria and biochar in mitigating heavy metal toxicity in plants[2][3]. In conclusion, the combined application of 0.5% composted biochar and Bacillus faecalis presents a promising strategy for alleviating arsenic stress in maize plants. This approach not only improves plant growth and health but also enhances nutrient uptake and photosynthetic capacity, making it a viable solution for addressing arsenic contamination in agricultural soils. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term effects and practical feasibility of this combined treatment in different crops and environmental conditions.

AgricultureEnvironmentPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Unveiling the efficacy of Bacillus faecalis and composted biochar in alleviating arsenic toxicity in maize

Published 11th July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-05372-2

Related Studies

2) Unveiling the potential of A. fabrum and γ-aminobutyric acid for mitigation of nickel toxicity in fenugreek.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-61894-7

3) Minimization of heavy metal toxicity in radish (Raphanus sativus) by strigolactone and biochar.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-64596-2


Related Articles

An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙