Phytoremediation of cadmium-contaminated soil by Bidens pilosa L.: impact of pine needle biochar amendment.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of pine needle biochar as a soil amendment to promote the growth of Bidens pilosa L. and enhance its ability to phytoextract the cadmium from soil. Pot experiments (50 d) were designed as control experiment (C); metal treatment (MT), 20 mg Cd kg; biochar treatment (BT or BT), 100 or 200 mg kg; and metal-biochar treatment (MBT or MBT), 20 mg Cd kg and 100 or 200 mg biochar kg.