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Increased soil salinity significantly inhibits crop production around the world. Over the last decade, biochar has been used in agriculture to improve plant productivity, soil quality, and as an alternative to plant amendment. This study was aimed to study the effect of biochar, NPK, and their combination on the growth, physio-biochemical traits, mineral contents, and grain yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Thus, a pot factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications was performed. Experimental treatments included four levels of biochar (0, 2, 5 and 10% of total pot mass), four different NaCl levels (0, 75, 125, and 200 mmol L−1), and with or without NPK fertilizer. The results showed that a negative effect on gas exchange parameters, photosynthetic pigments, SPAD value, minerals contents, and grain yield of barley under salinity treatments. In addition, our funding showed the negative effect on biochemical traits such as proline, soluble sugars, individual sugar, and phenolic compounds. The use of biochar, combined with NPK fertilizers, considerably increases these parameters and especially improves barley grains yield under severe salinity conditions (200 mM) with a dose of 2% and 5% (394.1 and 280.61 g m−2, respectively) of total pot mass. It is concluded that biochar amendment could be a promising practice to enhance barley growth under severe saline irrigation and NPK fertilization regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the problems of inadequate water and fertilizer retention performance of the substrate, which results in the waste of water and fertilizer resources and then contributes to existing agricultural non-point source pollution, this study selected raw materials with different water retention performances for substrate compounding and explored their water retention performance and impact on the growth, yield and quality of strawberries. The experimental setup utilized the strawberry cultivar 'Hongyan' as the test subject and incorporated different proportions of vermicompost, coconut bran, biochar and humic acid into the organic fertilizer. A total of 12 treatment groups were formed across three gradients, involving different proportions of vermicompost with 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15 proportions of coconut bran/biochar and 0.05, 0.15 and 0.20 proportions of humic acid. To evaluate the water retention performance, uniform water and fertilizer regulations were applied. The results revealed that the treatment groups T4 (vermicompost:coconut bran = 0.5:0.1) and T5 (vermicompost:biochar = 0.5:0.1) exhibited higher water absorption multiplicity, lower water infiltration rates, and better water retention performances, but there was no significant difference between the two treatment groups. Among them, T4 could effectively improve the nutrient content of the substrate, and the substrate nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) increased by 5.80% compared with CK2. Also, plant total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) uptake increased by 81.18% and 4.74%, respectively, compared with CK2, which in turn promoted the growth and development of the plant and improved the fruit yield and quality to a certain extent. Meanwhile, T4 had the highest urease and catalase activities, with sucrase activity ranking second only to T1. In contrast, T5 demonstrated greater effectiveness in improving the average fruit weight and maximum fruit weight, registering increases of 22.98% and 36.22% compared to CK2, respectively, but the effect on the total yield was less pronounced. A comprehensive evaluation of strawberry growth found that the T4 treatment was superior. In conclusion, the ratio of vermicompost and coconut bran at 0.5:0.1 improved and promoted the substrate water retention performance and strawberry growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar application has been confirmed as an efficient way to increase the productivity of the agricultural system. However, the potential of biochar combined with reducing fertilization on the yield, and the fertilizer utilization efficiency of the rice (Oryza sativa) farming system on acidic soil remains to be further studied. Field micro-plot experiments with two factors were performed in 2018 and 2019 to evaluate the responses of the rice yield and nutrient utilization to the combined application of biochar (60, 80, and 100 t/ha) and fertilizer reduction (70%, 85%, and standard doses of N-P-K fertilizer). Taoyouxiangzhan and Taiyou 553 were used in the late growing season of 2018 and 2019, respectively. The results showed that compared with the control without adding biochar under standard fertilization, 70% doses of fertilizer application had no negative effects on the yield and the N, P, and K accumulation of rice after biochar application. K accumulation of rice increased with the increase of biochar application. The partial productivity of N, P, and K fertilizers increased as the fertilizer was decreased. The agronomic efficiency of N, P, and K fertilizers significantly increased after the combined applications of biochar and fertilizer. In both years, micro-plots with 70% doses of fertilizer had the highest N and P physiological efficiency, as well as K physiological efficiency in 2019. Compared with the control under standard fertilization, utilization efficiency of N, P, and K fertilizer under different biochar and fertilizer combinations significantly increased by 34.24~75.48%, 27.44~84.84%, and 78.52~166.70%, respectively. To sum up, biochar can partially substitute fertilizer for rice production in acid paddy fields in southern China. When the amount of biochar added is ≥60 t/ha, 70% doses of fertilizer application can still ensure the nutrient absorption of rice, improve the fertilizer utilization efficiency, and ensure the stable yield of rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of biochar as a soil amendment has substantial potential to enhance soil quality and carbon sequestration. However, the responses to the addition of biochar based on soil microbial residues are not well understood, particularly at the aggregate level. Herein, a two-year field experiment investigated the characteristics of distribution of microbial residues in calcareous fluvo-aquic soil aggregates (SA) in Henan Province, China. Four treatments were established as follows: no fertilizer (CK), chemical fertilizer (NPK), biochar (BC), and biochar combined with chemical fertilizer (NPK + BC). The results showed that the effects of particle size substantially impacted the microbial residues with 2–0.25 mm SA having the largest contents of amino sugars and microbial residual carbon (MRC), followed by >2 mm SA. Compared with the CK, the NPK treatment markedly enhanced the levels of glucosamine (GluN), galactosamine (GalN), muramic acid (MurA), total amino sugar (TAS), and MRC in the 2–0.25 mm SA by 26.69%, 24.0%, 23.62%, 25.11%, and 24.82%, respectively. The NPK + BC treatment significantly increased the contents of GluN, GalN, TAS, and MRC in the bulk soil and 0.25–0.053 mm SA compared with the NPK treatment. Bacterial biomass and the activity of N-acetyl-glucosaminidase in the bulk soil and SA markedly and positively affected the content of carbon in the amino sugars and microbial residues. Overall, the 2–0.25 mm SA were microenvironments with the largest accumulation of soil microbial residues, and the combined application of NPK + BC was more effective at increasing the accumulation of microbial residues in the SA, which provides an ideal fertilization strategy to improve the soil microenvironment and enhance soil quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock farmers are seeking ways to lower their environmental footprints by reducing inputs, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing carbon sequestration. To meet these objectives, farmers are investigating the value of diverse multispecies grazing swards and various organic by-products as alternative fertilizers and soil amendments. This study investigated the effects of HexaFrass™ [HexaFly, Meath, Ireland], an insect frass based organic fertilizer, and biochar, a form of charcoal, on the shoot dry matter accumulation of two forage plants, chicory and ribwort plantain. Under glasshouse conditions, HexaFrass™ generally increased the shoot growth of both chicory and plantain, although these positive effects were lost if an excessive amount of HexaFrass™ was applied, or the growing medium was already nutrient-rich. Importantly, it was found that HexaFrass™ also increased the re-growth of shoots after cutting, which is vital for plants that are destined to be successfully used in grazing or silage swards. Biochar had a less obvious effect on the shoot dry matter accumulation, although there was some evidence of a synergy between biochar and HexaFrass™, which caused an additional increase in the shoot growth. The results indicate that frass-based fertilizers could play a role in low-input mixed swards, whereas the potential of biochar as a soil amendment in these grazing systems requires further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recovery of phosphorus (P) from milk processing flotation sludges (MFS) using pyrolysis can contribute to a sustainable reuse of P by converting waste to fertiliser. The objectives of this study were to quantify the recovery and transformation of P following MFS pyrolysis and compare the efficacy of raw and pyrolysed MFS as organic P fertilisers. Phosphorus retention in biochars was high (98 ± 0.73% yield), leading to the enrichment of P relative to the raw MFS by a factor of 4.3–4.5. Pyrolysis of the MFS at 450 °C led to a 3-fold increase in the proportion of P in the HCl-extractable fraction (65 ± 0.32%), a 2-fold reduction in NaOH-P (30 ± 2.1%), and negligible amounts of P in the H2O-P and NaHCO3-P fractions. The bioavailability of P in raw MFS and 450 °C biochar was compared to a soluble P fertiliser in P-limiting plant bioassays. In the short-term (70 day) trial where ryegrass was grown on three soil types (Arenosol, Vertisol or Ferralsol), biochar MFS showed higher efficacy as a P fertiliser than raw MFS in the acidic Ferralsol, whereas the opposite response was observed in the near-neutral Arenosol. In the Vertisol, neither the raw MFS nor biochar produced more cumulative biomass or P uptake than any of the nil P controls. Over a longer 200-day period, raw MFS and biochar applied to the Arenosol were about 20% as efficient at providing P to ryegrass plants as the water-soluble K2PO4, suggesting that higher application rates of MFS or biochar would be required to match synthetic fertilisers in the short term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous use of chemical fertilizers has deteriorated soil health and crop productivity. Replenishing soil nutrients and microbial activity with eco-friendly soil amendments such as biochar and manure is therefore necessary to sustain soil health for crop production. However, studies are limited regarding the evaluation of biochar and poultry manure effects on soil health, attributed mainly to microbial extracellular enzymes and respiration. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effects of poultry manure and biochar on soil physico-chemical and microbiological properties and lettuce biomass accumulation in a pot experiment. The pots were amended with poultry manure either alone and or in combination with low (10%) and high (20%) rates of biochar. The treatments included were; (i) control, (ii) manure alone (M), (iii) manure plus 10% biochar (M + B10, and (iv) manure plus 20% biochar (M + B20). Results revealed that soil extracellular enzymes related to C, N, and P mineralization, soil basal (BR), and substrate induced respirations (SIR) were significantly affected by applied manure and manure–biochar. However, there were large differences observed for applied amendments regarding various soil and crop parameters. Specifically, the manure combined with a high rate of biochar (M + B20) enhanced total carbon (TC) content, dehydrogenase activity (DHA), BR, and all SIRs except Arginine-IR. On the other hand, manure combined with a low rate of biochar (M + B10) resulted in enhanced lettuce aboveground dry biomass (AGB-dry). The manure treatment alone (M), however, proved to be the most influential treatment in improving soil enzymes (β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase and phosphatase) involved in C, N, and P mineralization compared to the other treatments and control. Thus, it was concluded that the sole application of M and M + B20 improved both fertility and soil health, which therefore could be a promising direction for the future to enhance soil quality and crop productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizers are regarded as one of the environmental contaminants in addition to the necessity for fossil sources for their production. Conversely, it is impossible to neglect the supply of nitrogen needed as one of the essential ingredients for plant function. For organic agriculture, it is crucial to use alternative fertilizer management to reduce the harmful impacts and production costs of chemical fertilizers. In a one-year pot experiment, nitrate (NO−3) leaching and nitrogen efficiency of wheat were examined in relation to biochar (B) mixed with urea (U), legume residues (L), and azocompost (A), which represent chemical, green, and biological sources of N-fertilizers, respectively. Control (no biochar, no fertilizer), U (46 kg ha−1), A (5 t ha−1), L (5 t ha−1), B (10 t ha−1), UB, AB, and LB were the experimental treatments. Grain yield of wheat was enhanced by 337% and 312% with UB and UL, respectively. The LB produced the highest grain N yield, with a rise of 8.8 times over the control. L had the highest N-use efficiency, with an increase of 149% over the control. The highest N-harvest index and N-recovery efficiency were obtained by using LB, with values of 91 and 70 %, respectively. Nitrate leaching occurred in the following order: U > Control ≥ A ≥ L > UB > AB ≥ LB > B. Nitrogen is retained for the plant in the extensive specific surface of biochar when N-fertilizers are used in conjunction with them. This not only improves N-efficiency but also minimizes nitrogen loss through leaching. Additionally, the soil can benefit from the addition of leguminous organic fertilizer in a similar way as to urea fertilizer in terms of increasing wheat grain yield, particularly when combined with biochar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Knowledge of the responses of soil aggregates to various fertilization practices can contribute to sustainable soil management in urban vegetable agriculture. Aims: The study assessed the soil fertility, dry aggregate stability, and aggregate total carbon (TC) and nitrogen (TN) retention after the reapplication of biochar, and organic/inorganic fertilizers. Methods: Four replicates of ecological sanitation (ECOSAN) manure, NPK fertilizer, corncob biochar (CCB), and CCB, combined with urea and cattle manure (UCF), were established in a randomized complete block design. Results: The application of ECOSAN increased the soil pH and also resulted in significant accumulation of available phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). Compared to CCB treatment, UCF + CCB produced significant increases in the TC, TN, P, Ca, and Mg concentrations by 53, 140, 227, 27, and 78%, respectively, and additionally increased the 4.75–2.00 mm large macroaggregates and mean weight diameter. The total carbon increased significantly in microaggregates (>0.25 mm); macroaggregates (4.75–0.25 mm); and in the micro- and macroaggregate fractions of the ECOSAN, CCB, and UCF + CCB treatments, respectively. More so, the TN in micro- and macroaggregates was increased maximally by UCF + CCB and minimally by the CCB treatment. Conclusions: The reapplication of CCB had limited potential for carbon sequestration in soil aggregates, but its combination with UCF better reflects carbon and nitrogen stabilization in micro- and macro- aggregates, with greater potential in large macroaggregates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding nitrogen (N) release patterns and kinetics is a key challenge for improving N use efficiency in any agroecosystem. An incubation experiment was done to study the N release pattern and kinetics of contrasting soils amended with compost (CO), poultry manure (PM), rice husk biochar (RHB), poultry manure biochar (PMB) and cowdung (CD) combined with chemical fertilizer (integrated plant nutrient system, IPNS approach) under two moisture regimes, viz. field capacity (FC) and continuous standing water (CSW) at 25 °C for 120 days. Our results revealed that NH4+-N was the dominant under CSW conditions, whereas NO3−-N was dominant under FC conditions. Net mineral N data fitted well to the first order kinetic model. Both N release potential (N0) and rate constant (k) were greater in acidic soil than those of charland soil. The maximum N release varied between 24.90–76.29% of input depending on soil type and moisture status. N mineralization was strongly correlated with urea N application. PM and PMB mineralized in all soil and moisture conditions whereas N immobilization was observed in the case of RHB. N mineralization was strongly correlated with urea N application. Gaseous N losses were different for the organic amendments exhibiting more gaseous N losses in PM, CD and CO based IPNS whereas the lowest gaseous N loss was observed in PMB based IPNS. Biochar based IPNS increased soil pH in all conditions. Thus, the present study suggests that N release depends on soil type, soil moisture and type of organic amendment. However, CO, PM and CD based IPNS can be recommended for both acidic and charland soils in terms of N release as short duration crops will suffer from N deficiency if biochar based IPNS is used in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria with multiple growth-promoting traits play a significant role in soil to improve soil health, crop growth and yield. Recent research studies have focused on the integration of organic amendments with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to enhance soil fertility and reduce the hazardous effects of chemical fertilizers. This study aims to evaluate the integrated application of biochar, compost, fruit and vegetable waste, and Bacillus subtilis (SMBL 1) to soil in sole application and in combined form. The study comprises eight treatments—four treatments without inoculation and four treatments with SMBL 1 inoculation in a completely randomized design (CRD), under factorial settings with four replications. The results indicate that the integrated treatments significantly improved okra growth and yield compared with sole applications. The integration of SMBL 1 with biochar showed significant improvements in plant height, root length, leaf chlorophyll a and b, leaf relative water content, fruit weight, diameter and length by 29, 29, 50, 53.3, 4.3, 44.7 and 40.4%, respectively, compared with control. Similarly, fruit N, P and K contents were improved by 33, 52.7 and 25.6% and Fe and Zn in shoot were 37.1 and 35.6%, respectively, compared with control. The results of this study reveal that the integration of SMBL 1 with organic amendments is an effective approach to the sustainable production of okra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar, a carbon-rich material, is highlighted to improve soil fertility, simultaneously mitigating climate change by carbon sequestration. Combined with mineral fertilizer, it can increase weediness, the major source of yield loss in agricultural production. Research with biochar was conducted in Eastern Croatia in 2016, with the aim to investigate the influence of biochar and mineral fertilizer on weed infestation and winter wheat yield. Field experiments were set up as a split-plot where biochar (B) was the main factor and fertilization was the sub factor. The main treatments were: B0 (control without biochar), B1-5 t ha−1, B2-10 t ha−1 and B3-15 t ha−1. Fertilization sublevels were F0) without fertilizer and F1) optimal dose of fertilizer. Weediness was determined by counting and measuring aboveground biomass. The treatments with the greatest effect on weediness were B3 and F1 in the winter wheat tillering stage. In the winter wheat ripening stage, treatment B3 obtained the highest weediness and F1 significantly reduced weed density. Biochar treatment B3 increased winter wheat yield by 77% in relation to the control. The application of biochar combined with fertilization affected the level of weediness depending on agroecological conditions, but with a significant increase in yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato is an important economic crop that is widely consumed worldwide. Tomato production is mainly limited by the use of nitrogen fertilizer, sunlight, soil and water conditions. Biochar is one of the soil amendments, and it is recognized as a promising practice for improving crop production in agriculture. The effect of biochar on the photosynthetic traits and tomato yield under reduced nitrogen fertilizer application is still not well understood. The objective of this research is to investigate the influence of biochar application on the photosynthesis and yield of tomato under reduced nitrogen fertilizer application from the perspectives of the nutrient uptake of plants (nitrogen and phosphorus), leaf photosynthetic pigment and leaf gas exchange parameters. Two-year greenhouse experiments containing six biochar levels (0, 10, 30, 50, 70, and 90 t ha−1) and two nitrogen fertilizer application rates (190 and 250 kg ha−1) were conducted. Compared with C0, C50 significantly improved the nitrogen uptake (74–80%) and phosphorus uptake (76–95%) by tomato plants and further enhanced the photosynthetic traits of tomato leaves (net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (Tr) and chlorophyll (2–60%), which lead to the highest gains in tomato yield (more than 50%) even when the applied nitrogen fertilizer was significantly reduced (from 250 kg ha−1 to 190 kg ha−1). The photosynthesis rate had a linear correlation with the total nitrogen and phosphorus accumulation and tomato yield. The results will enhance our understandings about the effect of biochar on the photosynthesis and yield of tomato and be of importance for practical agricultural management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of applying rice husk biochar (RHB) or ground magnesium limestone (GML) in combination with bio-fertilizer on soil biochemical properties and the yield of rice planted on an acid sulfate soil. The RHB or GML plus bio-fertilizer were applied each at the rate of 4 t ha−1. Applying the amendments increased soil pH (>5.0) and improved soil biochemical properties with a concomitant reduction of Al and Fe that resulted in enhanced rice growth. Applying GML plus bio-fertilizer resulted in increased soil N content (0.20%), available P (34.38 mg kg−1), exchangeable Ca (2.97 cmolc kg−1) and exchangeable Mg (2.45 cmolc kg−1); all these enhanced rice nutrient uptake. The highest bacterial population of 8.34 log10 CFU g−1 soil was found in the same treatment. Applying GML and RHB alone, or in combination with bio-fertilizer, was found to enhance rice growth and the yield. The highest plant height (90.33 cm), leaf chlorophyll content (38.05), plant tiller numbers (16), filled grains (86%), number of panicles per plant (18), lengths of panicles (24.40 cm), grain (5.24 t ha−1), straw yield (10.20 t ha−1) and harvest index (0.51) were determined in the GML plus bio-fertilizer, followed by RHB plus bio-fertilizer treatment. Thus, GML applied in combination with bio-fertilizer is considered as a promising agronomic package to sustain the production of rice planted on acid sulfate soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficiency of mineral fertilizer use in most soils in Sub-saharan Africa is low. Prominent among the reasons for this is low soil carbon stock. In this study, we hypothesized that in the short term, combined use of biochar and inorganic fertilizer in irrigated rice (Oryza sativa var KRC Baika) cropping systems will increase soil organic carbon storage, N recovery and agronomic efficiency of N use (above world average of 55% and 20 kg grain·kg−1·N respectively) and improved economic returns compared to the sole use of inorganic fertilizer. A two-year (4‒cropping cycles) field trial was, thus, conducted on a Vertisol. The experiments were designed as split–plot with two (0 and 10 t·ha−1) biochar and four (0, 45, 90, 120 kg·ha−1·N) nitrogen application rates. Additionally, the effect of biochar on the chemical properties of the soil was investigated using standard protocols. Biochar application improved the soil organic carbon storage in the topsoil. There were significant interactions between the application of biochar and nitrogen fertilizer on yield parameters. Introducing biochar significantly increased root volume and nutrient (N, P and K) uptake, resulting in increased grain and straw yield. Grain yields under biochar amended plots were higher than sole fertilizer amended plots in 14 out of 16 instances (cropping cycles × N rates). The increase in grain yield was between 12 to 29% across N rates. Biochar amendment also enhanced agronomic N use and apparent N recovery efficiencies in 3 out of the 4 cropping cycles. Gross margin indicated that biochar application under irrigated rice cropping systems is economically feasible in all cropping cycles and N rates. However, the value cost ratio of biochar application was higher than for sole inorganic fertilizer in three out of the four cropping cycles (each cropping cycle has three N rates). The soil organic carbon storage of biochar amended soil increased by 17% under unfertilized condition and by 32% under fertilized condition. To enable the promotion and efficient use of the biochar technology in enhancing productivity and profitability in irrigated rice, extension officers and farmers will need to be trained on how to char the rice husk to reduce emissions prior to upscaling the technology to farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In arid and semi-arid regions, desertification threatens crop production because it reduces the soil's capacity to retain water and soil nutrients. At two fertilizer levels (90 kg N hm−2 and 45 kg P hm−2 and 270 kg N hm−2 and 135 kg P hm−2), the effects of soft rock (sand: soft rocks = 3:1) and biochar (4500 kg hm−2) applications on soil moisture, soil nutrients, and millet (Setaria italica L.) photosynthesis, yield, and its agronomic traits (biomass, thousand kernel weight, harvest index) were investigated in a field experiment in the Mu Us Sandy Land of China in 2018–2019. The addition of biochar and soft rock singly increased soil water content, alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen (AN), total nitrogen (TN) and phosphorus (TP), and organic matter content significantly, suggesting that their application may increase the nutrient and water holding capacity of soil. Application of biochar and soft rock singly increased the net photosynthesis rate of millet flag leaf, at the flowering stage, from 15.97% to 56.26%. Biochar and soft rock application increased the yield range (2109.0 kg hm−2 to 5024.7 kg hm−2) from 5.26% to 54.60% under the same fertilizer level. Correlation analyses showed grain yield was significantly correlated with photosynthesis rate at the flowering stage, which was significantly correlated with soil AN at flowering, soil TP at flowering and harvest, and soil TN at flowering. These results indicated that the application of biochar and soft rock singly could increase soil fertilizer holding capacity to improve the photosynthesis rate at flowering, and, therefore, lead to improvements in crop yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of biochar application on soils in the main tobacco-producing areas in China. The study was conducted in four study regions in China, where the same three experimental treatments were set up in each area, including a control (CK), a treatment involving the application of chemical fertilizer (F), and a treatment involving the application of biochar (B). We analyzed the basic physical and chemical properties, microbial diversity, and root system of tobacco plants. The results show that: Biochar increased the soil pH, which was most obvious in the study site in Shaowu City, Fujian Province (FUS), where the soil pH increased by 22.64% and 27.49% compared with soil under the CK and F treatments, respectively. Biochar increased the microbial biomass carbon (MBC) content, and increased the soil content of available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium; this effect was most obvious in FUS. The root activity in plots treated with biochar increased by 6.95% and 13.72% compared to the CK and F plots, respectively. Similarly, the number of root tips increased by 89.76% and 21.48% compared to the CK and F plots, respectively. In short, biochar improved the physical soil structure, increased the soil pH, and promoted the effectiveness of soil nutrients. Furthermore, biochar improved the bacterial soil diversity, enriched the population structure of soil bacteria, and promoted the healthy development of flue-cured tobacco roots. However, the demand for and types of biochar suitable for use in different tobacco-planting soils need further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture has changed dramatically due to mechanization, new technologies, and the increased use of chemical fertilizers. These factors maximize production and reduce food prices, but may also enhance soil degradation. Sustainable agricultural practices include altering crop varieties and the use of soil amendments to increase production, improve irrigation, and more effectively use fertilizers. Ancient and modern durum wheat varieties have been shown to be tolerant to conditions caused by climate change and increase production. Biochar soil amendments have been reported to increase crop yields, soil fertility, and to promote plant growth. However, results are variable depending on biomass source, application conditions, and crop species. This study evaluates the crop response of two contrasting durum wheat varieties on an Eutric Cambisol amended with beech wood biochar. Wheat varieties used are Saragolla, an ancient variety traditionally used in Southern Italy, and Svevo, a widely used commercial variety. The effect of biochar soil amendment on the expression of genes involved in the germination of these two varieties of wheat was determined using RT-PCR. The content of hormones such as gibberellins (GAs), auxins (IAA), and abscisic acid (ABA) was determined. Results demonstrate that biochar had a stimulatory effect on the growth performances of Svevo and Saragolla cultivars at the molecular level. This correlated to the promoted transcription of genes involved in the control of plant development. Overall, the presence of biochar as soil amendment improved the germination rates of both varieties, but the ancient wheat cultivar was better suited to the Eutric Cambisol than the commercial variety. This trend was also observed in un-amended pots, which may indicate better adaptability of the ancient wheat cultivar to withstand environmental stress than the commercial variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar can improve soil health and crop productivity. We studied the response of soil properties and wheat growth to four rates of wood biochar (0, 11.2, 22.4, and 44.8 Mg ha−1) and two fertilizer rates [no fertilizer and fertilizer (90 kg N ha−1, 45 kg P ha−1, and 20 kg S ha−1)]. Biochar application increased soil organic matter (SOM), soil pH, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S) contents, and the shoot and root biomass of wheat. However, these responses were observed at biochar rates below 22.4 Mg ha−1, particularly in treatments without fertilizer. In fertilizer-applied treatments, soil nitrate levels decreased with an increase in biochar rates, mainly due to better crop growth and high nitrate uptake. However, without N addition, the high C:N ratio (500:1) possibly increased nutrient tie-up, reduced plant biomass, and SOM buildup at the highest biochar rate. Based on these results, we recommend biochar rates of about 22.4 Mg ha−1 and below for Walla Walla silt loams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the findings of a field experiment investigating the effectiveness of biochar and plant biomass ash when used as a soil fertiliser in the cultivation of basket willow (Salix viminalis L.). The purpose of the study was to determine the optimal dose of fertiliser to enable a maximum increase in the crop yield and enhancement of the chemical properties of the soil. In the course of the two-year experiment, the increase in basket willow yield was in the range of 6%–49%. The highest dry matter yield from the plants, at the end of both the first and the second year of the experiment, was obtained in the plots where the soil was amended with biochar alone (11.5 t ha−1), a combination of biochar and ash (respectively 11.5 and 1.5 t ha−1) and ash added at the rate of 1.5 t ha−1. The yield was reduced when the soil was amended with ash added at the rates of 3.0 t ha−1 and 4.5 t ha−1 or with the latter doses of ash combined with biochar. The results indicated that too high a concentration of ash (rate of 3.0 t ha−1 or higher for basket willow) have negative effects on plant growth and may represent a limiting factor. The study suggests that biochar is a better soil amendment than ash, because biochar application gave the highest improvement in the soil properties and plant growth. It was found that the addition of biochar, biomass ash or combinations of the two materials applied in suitable doses may be a good soil amendment.. In particular in soils which are severely damaged and require restoration, this fertilization may have a noticeable effect on soil properties and plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]