Counteracting negative effects of salinity on Lepidium sativum L. seedlings by prepared biochar

Purpose: Biochar is a carbon rich material that showed positive outcomes on plant growth and productivity enduring abiotic stresses. The objective of the present investigation is thus to determine the potential of biochar to mitigate the detrimental impacts of salinity in Lepidium sativum. Method: Salinity stress was induced by NaC1 at different concentrations ranging from 0 to 5000 mg/L.  Biochar was applied in two concentrations: 0.5 and 1%.. For biochar preparation, dry rice straw was heated at 400 ºC at certain pyrolysis conditions. Results: The study established that salt medium significantly reduced seed germination and amylase activity, with the highest decrease of 63 and 50.6%, respectively, at 5000 mg/L. The relative permeability of the cell membrane was associated with substantial increases in lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide. The free radicle scavengers' total phenolic, flavonoid, and proline levels were also induced. The use of prepared biochar at 0.5 and 1% reduced the damaging effects of salt stress by enhancing the activity of the α-amylase enzyme, resulting in a significant rise in germination (95% at 5000 mg/L by 0.5% of biochar). In contrast, the application of 0.5% biochar at 5000 mg/L significantly decreased MDA and hydrogen peroxide concentrations to 24.4 mg/g f wt and 1.39 mM/g d wt, respectively, compared to 48.21 and 1.77 in the control. Positive relationships between the multiple data revealed the largest augmentation of germination, dry weight, and antioxidant chemicals in stressed seedlings with 0.5% biochar. Biochar alleviated the hazardous effects of NaCl on L. sativum by decreasing free radicle formation and lipid peroxidation, thereby enhancing germination and early growth. Conclusion: The positive impact of biochar on salt stressed seedlings may underline its potential to have opposing NaCl consequences on development and sustain growth. Research Highlights • Naturally prepared biochar alleviates negative salinity impacts on sativum. • Biochar substantial enhanced germination and early seedling growth parameters. • Biochar decreased of free radicals (low H2O2) and oxidative stress induction. • Biochar increased protective antioxidants (as phenolics) and proline