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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2025, Vol. 61 ›› Issue (11): 14-23.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20250116

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Effects of Different Biochar Addition Ratios on the Growth and Physiology of Quercus variabilis and Fraxinus chinensis in Cadmium-Contaminated Soil

Zhiwei Zheng1,Ming Ma2,Yong Liu1,Jiaxi Wang1,Yufan Zhu1,Guolei Li1,*()   

  1. 1. College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University Oak Research Center, Beijing Forestry University Beijing 100083
    2. Academy of Agricultural Planning and Engineering, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Beijing 100125
  • Received:2025-03-03 Revised:2025-10-27 Online:2025-11-25 Published:2025-12-11
  • Contact: Guolei Li E-mail:glli226@163.com

Abstract:

Objective: Through the combined application of plants and biochar to repair soil cadmium pollution, the growth and physiological status of seedlings of two common northern tree species, Quercus variabilis and Fraxinus chinensis, and the differences in soil cadmium adsorption effects were explored after adding different proportions of biochar to simulated cadmium-contaminated soil. Method: A potted experiment was conducted on Q. variabilis and F. chinensis seedlings grown in simulated cadmium-contaminated soil. Different proportions of biochar (0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10%) were added to the soil. The differences in seedling growth and physiological traits such as photosynthesis and antioxidant activities, as well as cadmium migration in the soil and seedlings were observed. The cadmium adsorption effects of Q. variabilis and F. chinensis and the remediation effects of biochar were analyzed. Result: 1) Cadmium contamination at 5 mg·L?1 significantly decreased soil pH of Q. variabilis and F. chinensis by 10.8% and 11.7%, respectively. The height, ground diameter, and biomass of Q. variabilis seedlings decreased by 18.5%, 15.1%, and 38.9%, respectively. The height and biomass of F. chinensis seedlings increased by 3.9% and 12.6%, respectively, but the ground diameter decreased by 10.1%. The net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance of leaves of both tree species were inhibited. Antioxidant enzyme activities in Q. variabilis leaves decreased, while those in F. chinensis increased. 2) Biochar applications increased soil acidity and significantly reduced soil cadmium content, alleviating seedling stress. However, when the biochar application rate was increased to 10%, the growth and physiological indicators of seedlings decreased. 3) Q. variabilis and F. chinensis seedlings exhibited different cadmium adsorption behaviors in soil, with F. chinensis having a higher enrichment coefficient and Q. variabilis having a higher transport coefficient. Conclusion: When the biochar application ratio is 2.5%, the plants have the best adsorption effect on cadmium in the soil and the cadmium content in the soil is the lowest; when the biochar application ratio is 5%, it can effectively improve the growth of seedlings under cadmium pollution and ensure the stable growth of seedlings. The cadmium tolerance of F. chinensis is higher than that of Q. variabilis, and the seedlings have a stronger ability to adsorb cadmium.

Key words: Quercus variabilis, Fraxinus chinensis, cadmium contamination, biochar remediation

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