AMELIORATIVE ROLE OF BIOCHAR AND NANODAP IN MITIGATING SEWAGE SLUDGE INDUCED CADMIUM STRESS IN PRAECITRULLUS FISTULOSUS

Sewage sludge (SS) is valued for its nutrient-rich properties but often contains cadmium (Cd), posing risks to plant growth and human health. Cadmium stress significantly affects plant growth. It interferes with critical biochemical and physiological processes. This tension results in a reduction in biomass and a delay in nutrient intake, which in turn slows down development.Cadmium also generates reactive oxygen species that induce oxidative stress, which results in the destruction of cell components, including DNA, proteins, and lipids. This injury reduces the levels of chlorophyll, which in turn hinders growth and complicates photosynthesis.