enhancing wheat growth parameters and alleviating cadmium toxicity through biochar seed priming

Heavy metal contamination, especially cadmium, poses a significant threat to food security and human health. cadmium, a highly soluble and toxic metal, readily accumulates in plants, impacting their growth and posing risks to consumers. biochar, a carbon-rich material derived from plant waste, offers a promising solution for mitigating cadmium toxicity in crops. it improves soil quality, enhances nutrient availability, and supports beneficial microbial activity. this study investigated the impact of biochar priming on wheat seedlings subjected to cadmium stress. wheat seeds were treated with varying concentrations of biochar before being exposed to different levels of cadmium. the research assessed several parameters related to seedling growth, photosynthesis, and antioxidant activity. the results demonstrated that biochar priming significantly alleviated the negative effects of cadmium, promoting better germination, increased seedling growth, and improved photosynthetic efficiency. biochar s porous structure and functional groups likely bind cadmium, reducing its harmful impact. further analysis revealed that biochar priming, especially at higher concentrations, enhanced the activity of a key antioxidant enzyme, guaiacol peroxidase. this enzyme plays a critical role in detoxifying harmful reactive oxygen species, which are increased by cadmium stress. this research suggests that biochar priming can be a valuable tool to mitigate cadmium toxicity in wheat and potentially other crops. its application could contribute to sustainable agriculture practices, enhancing food security and protecting human health from heavy metal contamination.