Revealing the Efficacy of Fruit Peel Derived Biochar in Reducing Arsenic Accumulation in Rice ( Oryza sativa L.)

ABSTRACT

Arsenic (As) contamination of agricultural soil poses a serious threat to food security and human health, especially in rice‐growing regions. This study investigated the efficacy of three different fruit peel‐derived biochar (sweet lemon peel biochar [SLPB], pomegranate peel biochar [PPB], and banana peel biochar [BPB]) in mitigating As toxicity in rice ( Oryza sativa L.) cultivated in As‐contaminated soil. Fruit‐peel waste was pyrolyzed at 350°C for 2 h under limited oxygen conditions to produce biochar and applied at 1% (w/w) in soil to assess its impact on As uptake, plant physiological responses, and stress tolerance. The proximate analysis shows the stability of SLPB (high fixed carbon: 54% and low ash content: 17%) and adsorption potential. The application of both SLPB and PPB in soil exhibited a positive effect on plant growth and biochemical responses in comparison to As‐only conditions. However, BPB was found to be less effective in reducing As‐induced toxicity in rice plants. The results show that the maximum increase in chl a, chl b, and carotenoid was found to be 64%–132%, 24%–328%, and 64%–108% in rice plants grown in As + SLPB amended soil. Furthermore, biochar amendments induced the antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, APX, GPX, and CAT) in rice plants at all the harvesting stages. SLPB and PPB amendments showed a reduction in As content in shoot and root by 30%–37% and 14%–27%, respectively. In summary, these findings highlight the role of waste‐derived biochar not only as a low‐cost sustainable method for ameliorating As stress in rice but also in advancing sustainable agriculture and biowaste valorization strategies.