Sehar Razzaq

Xi'an University of Technology, China

Title: Cadmium Stress Alleviation: Interplay of Micronutrients and Enzymatic/Non enzymatic Species in Maize by Organic and Inorganic Amendments

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Biography

Sehar Razzaq is a dedicated researcher, a post-doctorate, affiliated with the State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China at Xi'an University of Technology. Her research primarily focuses on sustainable environmental remediation, specifically addressing heavy metal contamination in agricultural systems. She investigates the efficacy of various organic and inorganic amendments, including nanoparticles, in mitigating cadmium toxicity in soil-plant systems to enhance crop safety and productivity. She has experience in soil chemistry, plant stress physiology, and sustainable agriculture practices, aiming to develop practical, eco-friendly solutions for contaminated farmlands. Ms. Razzaq has contributed to several key publications in high-impact journals, exploring themes such as cadmium stabilization, plant growth under stress, and novel microbial detoxification mechanisms. Her work aims to develop practical strategies for soil stabilization and Phyto-management, bridging the gap between laboratory research and field application to combat soil pollution and ensure food security.

Abstract

With the advancement in industrialization and to cope with the ever-increasing demand for food, the farmer community is compelled to use various approaches, including the excessive use of phosphatic fertilizers, irrigation with contaminated water, and limited access to alternative inputs. These practices have resulted in cadmium toxicity. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of four organic amendments including press mud, sugar cane bagasse, humic acid, and biochar along with four inorganic amendments including gypsum, CaCl2, iron and silicon nanoparticles in reducing the bio availability of Cd in soil. The results revealed that the press mud treatment exhibited the highest percentage increase in growth and physiological indices, with a value of 188.63%, followed by sugarcane, humic acid, biochar, Fe, Si NPs, gypsum and CaCl2 with a percentage increase of 162.26%, 141.65%, 93.50%, 81.13%, 71.56%, 59.24%, and 12.14%, respectively. The maximum malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were recorded in the Cd treatment, and a significant inconsistency in antioxidant enzyme activity such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and Proline content was observed between organic and inorganic amendment treatments. Press mud exhibited the lowest Ab-DTPA Cd value, which was 11.96% at 100 ppm, with other treatments ranging between 15.17 and 37.01%. In conclusion, applying the studied amendments demonstrated a potential to decrease Cd bioavailability in the soil, leading to improved photosynthetic pigment levels and reduced Cd uptake by maize plants. Press mud, humic acid, gypsum, and Fe-NPs were identified as particularly effective amendments for reducing cadmium concentrations by binding in soil for reduced transport to maize, alleviating toxicity, and oxidative stress management. Additional research is necessary to determine the ideal concentrations for each treatment and their overall impact on plant growth and development.