Pedosphere 36(1): 240--253, 2026
ISSN 1002-0160/CN 32-1315/P
©2026 Soil Science Society of China
Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press
| Revitalizing soil—biochar’s battle against heavy metal menace in plants: A review |
Nahida Rehman MIR1, Bilal Ahmad MIR2, Manpreet Singh MAVI3, Nitika KAPOOR1 |
1 Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005 (India);
2 Department of Botany, North Campus, University of Kashmir, Delina, Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir 193103 (India);
3 Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004 (India) |
| ABSTRACT |
| With rising anthropogenic activities, the contamination of soil with toxic heavy metals has become a pressing global concern, posing significant threats to plant growth, soil health, and human safety. Biochar, derived from pyrolysis of organic wastes, has emerged as a promising, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution for mitigating heavy metal toxicity in soil. This review explores the multifunctional properties of biochar that make it an effective adsorbent for heavy metals, highlighting the pivotal role of pyrolysis temperature in determining its physiochemical and structural properties. Higher pyrolytic temperatures enhance biochar’s specific surface area, microporosity, pH, and stability, contributing to its increased efficiency in adsorbing heavy metals such as chromium (Cr(VI)), cadmium (Cd(II)), and zinc (Zn(II)). The mechanisms of heavy metal immobilization by biochar are influenced by the variations in biomass feedstock, pyrolysis conditions, and functional group modifications. This review also delves into the molecular mechanisms by which biochar regulates stress responses in plants, including the expression of key genes like OsFSD1, OsCAT, OsSOD, and BnIRT1, which mitigate oxidative stress induced by heavy metals. Thus, by improving soil properties and promoting plant resilience, biochar stands as a versatile soil amendment with vast potential for environmental bioremediation. |
| Key Words: bioremediation|gene regulation|heavy metal contamination|molecular mechanism|organic waste|oxidative stress|pyrolysis temperature|soil amendment|toxicity mitigation |
| Citation: Mir N R, Mir B A, Mavi M S, Kapoor N. 2026. Revitalizing soil—biochar’s battle against heavy metal menace in plants: A review. Pedosphere. 36(1): 240-253. |
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