How Biochar and Steel Slag Help Tomatoes Cope with Lithium Stress

Jenn Hoskins
24th August, 2024

How Biochar and Steel Slag Help Tomatoes Cope with Lithium Stress

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Amity University Uttar Pradesh found that lithium contamination in soil harms tomato plants, causing shorter roots and shoots, lower biomass, and increased cellular damage
  • Applying coconut shell biochar (CBC) and steel slag (SS) significantly reduced lithium accumulation in tomato plants, with a combined reduction of 82% in roots and 90% in shoots
  • The use of CBC and SS enhanced the activity of key antioxidant enzymes in tomato plants, helping them cope with lithium-induced oxidative stress and improving overall plant health
The growing demand for lithium (Li) for various applications, including energy storage and electronics, has resulted in its increased presence in the environment. This contamination poses significant risks to both ecosystems and human health. A recent study by researchers at Amity University Uttar Pradesh[1] has explored an innovative approach to mitigate the adverse effects of lithium stress on tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) using waste materials like coconut shell biochar (CBC) and steel slag (SS). Lithium contamination in soil can severely affect plant growth and health. In tomato plants, Li exposure resulted in shorter roots and shoots, lower biomass, and decreased relative water content. Physiological parameters were adversely affected, leading to increased electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation, indicators of cellular damage and oxidative stress. The study found that the application of CBC and SS, either individually or in combination, significantly alleviated these negative effects. The combination of CBC and SS was particularly effective, reducing Li accumulation by 82% in roots and 90% in shoots. This reduction minimized the detrimental impacts of Li on the plants. Antioxidant enzymes play a critical role in protecting plants from oxidative stress. In this study, the presence of CBC and SS enhanced the activity of several key antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR), by 4%, 5%, 30%, and 52%, respectively. Additionally, glyoxalase enzymes I and II, which are involved in detoxifying harmful compounds, showed increases of 7% and 250%. The combined amendment also led to a decrease in methylglyoxal content, a marker of oxidative stress. The findings from this study are consistent with earlier research that highlights the importance of managing soil contaminants to protect plant health. For instance, a study on lithium uptake in spinach showed that higher Li concentrations could interfere with nutrient uptake and increase antioxidant enzyme activity, posing potential health risks to humans consuming contaminated plants[2]. This underscores the importance of effective remediation strategies to prevent Li from entering the food chain. Moreover, the study aligns with previous research on the use of nanomaterials to protect plants from viral infections. For example, carbon-based nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and C60 fullerenes have been shown to suppress viral infections in plants by enhancing their defense mechanisms[3]. Similarly, CBC and SS amendments in the current study boosted the tomato plants' antioxidant defenses, helping them cope with Li-induced oxidative stress. The innovative use of CBC and SS not only mitigates Li toxicity but also promotes sustainable agricultural practices by converting waste materials into valuable resources. CBC, derived from agricultural waste, and SS, an industrial byproduct, are environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and safe for large-scale application. This approach not only addresses the issue of Li contamination but also contributes to waste management and resource recycling. In conclusion, the study by Amity University Uttar Pradesh provides a promising solution for managing Li contamination in agricultural soils. By using waste materials like CBC and SS, the researchers have demonstrated a practical and sustainable method to protect crops from Li-induced damage, ensuring better crop health and yield. This research highlights the potential of waste reutilization in agriculture, paving the way for further innovations in environmental remediation and sustainable farming practices.

AgricultureBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Unraveling the mechanisms of biochar and steel slag in alleviating lithium stress in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants via modulation of antioxidant defense and methylglyoxal detoxification pathways.

Published 22nd August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.109062

Related Studies

2) Growth and physiological response of spinach to various lithium concentrations in soil.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06877-2

3) Carbon-based nanomaterials suppress tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) infection and induce resistance in Nicotiana benthamiana.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124167


Related Articles

An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙