Low-Cost Carbonaceous Priming from Candle Soot Enhances Germination and Ion Regulation in Phyllostachys edulis under Salinity

Abstract

Seed priming has emerged as a strategy to enhance germination performance and improve plant tolerance to abiotic stress. In recent years, carbon-based materials have attracted attention due to their ability to modulate physiological and biochemical processes during early plant development. Soot particles could serve as an alternative to commercial carbon-based materials used as seed-priming agents. This study evaluates the potential of carbonaceous particles derived from candle soot to alleviate salinity stress in Phyllostachys edulis during germination and early seedling growth. Salinity is a major limiting factor affecting bamboo establishment, particularly in degraded and coastal environments. The results indicate that soot-based priming significantly improves germination parameters and enhances early seedling development under saline conditions. Treated seeds exhibited faster germination and improved vigor compared to untreated controls. Additionally, the priming treatment appeared to interfere with the uptake and transport of Na⁺ and Cl^- ions, thereby reducing ionic toxicity during the early growth stage. In conclusion, carbonaceous particles derived from candle soot demonstrate strong potential as a low-cost and effective priming agent to improve salinity tolerance in bamboo. This approach provides a promising strategy for supporting bamboo cultivation in salt-affected areas while offering an alternative use of carbon-based materials for sustainable forestry applications.