Carbonaceous soot priming shields bamboo seeds from lead toxicity by limiting lead uptake and enhancing antioxidative defense

Le résumé fourni par la source

Lead contamination poses a major constraint to bamboo establishment, yet low-cost strategies to improve seed germination under heavy-metal stress remain limited. Here we report, for the first time, the use of carbonaceous soot derived from candle combustion as a priming agent for a bamboo species, Phyllostachys edulis, under lead stress. Germination parameters, lead accumulation, and antioxidant responses were assessed in primed and non-primed seeds exposed to 0–400 mg L−1 lead. Dynamic light scattering analysis revealed that soot particles had a hydrodynamic diameter of ∼210 nm and a stable zeta potential (–33.5 mV). Scanning electron microscopy confirmed strong adherence of aggregated particles on the seed coat. Soot priming significantly improved germination percentage, reduced mean germination time, and enhanced seedling vigor compared with non-primed seeds across all treatments. X-ray fluorescence analysis showed that priming reduced lead uptake by 24–52%. Primed seedlings exhibited lower catalase, peroxidase, and proline levels, indicating reduced oxidative stress. These improvements are attributed to the soot layer functioning as a physical barrier and metal-adsorptive surface, limiting lead entry during imbibition. Overall, candle-derived soot particles effectively enhance germination under lead stress, offering a simple and inexpensive priming strategy for bamboo establishment in contaminated environments.

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