BIO-AGRONOMIC AND REMEDIAL IMPACT OF VERMICOMPOST ON GERMINATION AND PHYSIO-BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSES OF MAIZE SEEDLINGS UNDER Pb TOXICITY - Hafeez ur Rehman; Athar Mahmood; Muhammad Shahbaz; Zubair Aslam (Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 2026)
Lead (Pb) contamination in the environment poses significant risks to ecosystems and human health. Effective management strategies are crucial for mitigating its impact. Maize (Zea mays L.) is a major cereal crop cultivated globally and threatened by Pb toxicity. This study was conducted (a two factorial experiment under CRD) to examine the impact of vermicompost (VC) application (0, 4, 6 and 8 tons ha-1) on growth and physio-biochemical indicators of maize seedlings under four Pb levels (control, 100, 200, and 300 mg kg-1 soil). A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of VC treatment on maize growth. The addition of VC mainly 8 tons ha-1 improved maize seedling emergence by increasing the germination rate. Electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were increased by 113.81%, 268.15%, and 1.97%, respectively, under Pb stress (300 mg kg-1 soil Pb). In comparison with the control, the application of VC (4<6<8 tons ha-1) improved the photosynthetic attributes of Chl. a, b, and carotenoid content (13.52%, 19.08% and 15.55%) and relative water content (RWC) by 17.73%, respectively. Soil amended with VC reduced oxidative damage resulting from lead-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species by decreasing H2O2 and MDA levels and increasing antioxidant enzyme activities. The application of VC also significantly improved maize yield indices. Overall, the addition of VC enhanced maize growth, alleviated Pb toxicity, and offered a practical strategy for managing Pb-contaminated soils. Collectively, the results demonstrate that VC is an effective organic amendment for mitigating Pb toxicity and promoting sustainable maize production in contaminated agroecosystems.
Keywords: journal article; Vermicompost; Bio-agronomic potential; Germination rate; Boosted antioxidants; Enhanced productivity