Combined application of biochar and PGPR alleviates Cd stress in wheat by improving antioxidant defense mechanism and crop physiology.

Soil heavy metals toxicity is an emerging threat for ecosystem and environment; therefore a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of corn stalk (CSBC) and farmyard manure biochar (FYMBC) coupled with the seed inoculation of (PGPR1) and (PGPR2) strains under Cd stress on wheat production, antioxidants, osmoprotectants and soil biochemical characteristics. Overall, results of the study revealed that Cd pollution significantly ( < 0.05) reduced the plant growth by accumulating in plant tissues.

Role of biochar and PGPR in improving soil biochemical characteristics and maize growth under Cr contamination.

Heavy metals toxicity in soil is increasing globally and bioremediation of these contaminants through sustainable and recalcitrant materials has gained attention in recent years. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of Cr tolerant and strains along with biochar of different feedstocks on maize plant biochemical attributes and soil health. Results of the study revealed that Cr contamination decreased plant growth attributes whilst the integrated application of +PLB significantly improved root-shoot length (36 and 10% respectively), total chlorophyll (11.

Estrogens in plants and emerging risks to human health.

Steroid estrogens (SEs) accumulate in agro-food systems through wastewater treatment and dairy manure, but very little is known about their potential impact on plants and dietary risk to human health. We conducted a meta-analysis to address key questions including, how plants respond to SEs under different environmental conditions, what is the accumulation potential of SEs in distinct plant families, and associated daily dietary intake risks to humans. Based on 517 endpoints, we revealed that various crop species show a heterogeneous response to SEs types (n = 140), SEs concentrations (n = 141), and exposure medium (n = 166).