Phytoremediation of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soil Using Drought-Adapted Sweet Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) in Arid Regions of Kazakhstan
Researchers found that sweet sorghum, a drought-tolerant crop, can effectively clean soil contaminated with toxic metals in Kazakhstan’s dry regions. By carefully selecting genotypes that were both adapted to harsh conditions and showed strong growth in laboratory tests, they demonstrated that the plants accumulate lead, cadmium, and cobalt primarily in their roots, making them safe for harvesting. This plant-based approach offers an affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to expensive traditional soil cleanup methods.