title: Use of Maize (Zea mays L.) for phytomanagement of Cd-contaminated soils: a critical review.
abstract: Maize (Zea mays L.) has been widely adopted for phytomanagement of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soils due to its high biomass production and Cd accumulation capacity. This paper reviewed the toxic effects of Cd and its management by maize plants. Maize could tolerate a certain level of Cd in soil while higher Cd stress can decrease seed germination, mineral nutrition, photosynthesis and growth/yields. Toxicity response of maize to Cd varies with cultivar/varieties, growth medium and stress duration/extent. Exogenous application of organic and inorganic amendments has been used for enhancing Cd tolerance of maize. The selection of Cd-tolerant maize cultivar, crop rotation, soil type, and exogenous application of microbes is a representative agronomic practice to enhance Cd tolerance in maize. Proper selection of cultivar and agronomic practices combined with amendments might be successful for the remediation of Cd-contaminated soils with maize. However, there might be the risk of food chain contamination by maize grains obtained from the Cd-contaminated soils. Thus, maize cultivation could be an option for the management of low- and medium-grade Cd-contaminated soils if grain yield is required. On the other hand, maize can be grown on Cd-polluted soils only if biomass is required for energy production purposes. Long-term field trials are required, including risks and benefit analysis for various management strategies aiming Cd phytomanagement with maize.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Government College University, Allama Iqbal Road, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan. mrazi1532@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rizwan
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Government College University, Allama Iqbal Road, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shafaqat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad Farooq
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Qayyum
authors.affiliation: Korea Biochar Research Center and Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 200-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Sik
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Ok
authors.affiliation: Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zia-Ur-Rehman
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Government College University, Allama Iqbal Road, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Zaheer
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Abbas
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Government College University, Allama Iqbal Road, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Fakhir
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hannan
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D004787:Environmental Pollution; D005506:Food Contamination; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D003313:Zea mays / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium
keywords: Biochar; Bioremediation; Chelating agents; Phytoextraction; Phytoremediation; Silicon; Soil amendment