Enhancing Antioxidant Defense Mechanisms and Micronutrient Levels: The Impact of Organic and Inorganic Amendments with Nanoscale Zerovalent Iron Foliar Application on Cadmium Stabilization and Maize Growth in Wastewater-Irrigated Soil

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) contamination poses significant threats to crop yield and production, thereby amplifying global concerns regarding food safety and security. In response to this formidable challenge, an extensive field experiment was devised to address the imperative task of mitigating Cd toxicity. The study incorporated two organic amendments, namely press mud and humic acid, applied at a rate of 0.5%, and two inorganic amendments, gypsum and zerovalent iron, applied at a rate of 5 mg/kg. Additionally, at the maturity stage of maize plants, using the same rates, foliar application of iron nanoparticles at 5 mg/L were employed. Comparative analysis with control treatment revealed the immobilization efficiency of all amendments, arranged in the order of 100, 102, 104, 104, 105, 102, 105, and 105% for press mud, humic acid, gypsum, zerovalent Fe, press mud + Fe nanoparticles, humic acid + Fe nanoparticles, gypsum + Fe nanoparticles, and zerovalent Fe + Fe nanoparticles, respectively. Notably, amendments featuring iron nanoparticles, particularly in conjunction with other additives, exhibited substantial enhancements in immobilization efficiency when compared to the Control. This promising outcome implies that these innovative treatments hold considerable potential in effectively reducing Cd concentration in the soil.

Keywords: Chemical immobilization, Cadmium Toxicity, Press mud, Humic Acid, Nanoparticles