Increasing level of lead (Pb)‐polluted agricultural soils jeopardizes chia ( Salvia hispanica L.) sustainable cultivation. A pot trial was carried out to explore impact of MXene on the growth and Pb uptake of S. hispanica seedlings, aiming to reduce Pb buildup in S. hispanica . Pb treatment resulted in the reduction of photosynthetic pigment levels and biomass of S. hispanica seedlings, in addition to an elevation in the antioxidant enzyme activities. Under Pb stress, MXene treatment enhanced photosynthetic pigments, biomass, and activity of antioxidant enzyme in S. hispanica seedlings. MXene application reduced root and shoot Pb levelsas well as translocation factor (TF) in S. hispanica seedlings under Pb stress. In contrast to Pb treatment, MXene diminished root Pb concentration by 15%. The TF, carotenoid level, total Chl (a + b), and Chl‐a exhibited strong correlation with shoot Pb under Pb stress. Consequently, MXene utilization can enhance growth, impede Pb uptake in roots of S. hispanica seedlings under Pb stress.
Murtaza et al. (Fri,) studied this question.