Co-application of Nano-zeolite and Biochar Modulated Lead Nitrate Toxicity by Improving Some Soil Physical Properties and Optimizing Growth and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Heavy metal toxicity to plants can be lessened by adding soil amendments like nano-zeolite (NZ) and biochar (BC). The goal of the current research was to determine how BC and NZ may be used to reduce Pb toxicity in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The pot experiment was conducted with Pb toxicity (0, 300, and 600 mg kg(-1) soil) and soil amendments (5% BC, 5% NZ, 2.5% BC + 2.5% NZ (w/w)) based on a completely randomized design by measuring some soil physical attributes, Pb accumulation, chlorophyll (Chl) and water content, grain yield, lipid peroxidation, and stomatal properties of wheat plants. The results showed that Pb toxicity at 600 mg kg(-1) soil led to decreases in thousand grain weight (TGW, 32%), grain yield (18%), leaf Chl content (29%), leaf relative water content (RWC, 20%), but increases in electrolyte leakage (EL, 21%), malondialdehyde (MDA, 39%), and stomatal density (21%) in the treatments without BC and NZ application. However, BC and NZ, particularly their combination, were more effective in improving soil attributes and plant growth by minimizing the Pb accumulation. The soil combined BC and NZ decreased total porosity (13%) but decreased available water content (AWC, 21%) relative to the control. Moreover, soil amendment in plants subjected to Pb toxicity had been demonstrated to boost physiological attributes and grain yield. The maximal variability of MDA, grain yield, and Chl under Pb stress and AWC during soil amendment was revealed by heat map analysis. Combining BC and NZ is more effective than using them separately for alleviating Pb toxicity through enhancing yield and physiological attributes. The results can be beneficial for improving wheat resistance in Pb-polluted soils.