Phytotoxic responses of wheat to an imidazolium based ionic liquid in absence and presence of biochar

Abstract

Research on ionic liquids (ILs) and biochars (BCs) is a novel site of scientific interest. An experiment was designed to assess the effect of 1-propanenitrile imidazolium trifluoro methane sulfonate ([C2NIM][CF3SO3]) ionic liquid (IL) and IL-BC combination on the wheat plant. Three working standards of the IL; 50, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/L, prepared in deionized water, were tested in the absence and presence of BC on wheat seedling. Results indicated significant decrease ‏in seed germination (%), length, fresh weight, chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid contents of wheat ‏seedlings at 250, 500 and ‏1000 mg/L of the ‏IL. An admirable increase in phenolic and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) contents of wheat seedlings was noted at 250, 500 and ‏1000 mg/L of the IL. The application of BC significantly ‏ameliorated the negative effects of IL on the selected parameters of ‏wheat. It is inferred that the undesirable effects of the IL on wheat growth can be positively restored by addition of BC.