Assessment of Acidic Biochar on the Growth, Physiology and Nutrients Uptake of Maize (Zea mays L.) Seedlings under Salinity Stress

Abstract

The application of an acidic biochar can improve plant growth and soil properties in saline conditions. In this study, we investigated the effect of acidic biochar on plant growth and nutrients contents in saline soil. Seven treatments were arranged in a complete randomized design, including control (CK), 0, 30, and 45 g biochar added to a soil having 1% and 1.5% salts; these treatments were termed as B0S1, B30S1, B45S1 and B0S1.5, B30S1.5, B45S1.5 respectively. Experimental results showed that the plant height, leaves plant−1, leaf area, and shoot fresh and dry biomass, and root fresh and dry biomass were increased for the B45S1.5, respectively. Similarly, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), and total sodium (Na) concentration in maize shoot were observed for B30S1, B0S1.5, CK, and B0S1.5, respectively. The highest concentrations of TN, TP, TK, and Na in root were obtained with the treatments B0S1, B0S1, B45S1, and B0S1, respectively. Soil pH, and EC decreased and nutrients concentration improved by the addition of acidic biochar. We conclude that the use of acidic biochar can be a potential source for the improvement of maize plant growth as well as mitigate the adverse effect of salt stress.

Uncovering the impact of AM fungi on wheat nutrient uptake, ion homeostasis, oxidative stress, and antioxidant defense under salinity stress

“…In arid and semi-arid areas of the world, salt stress has become a challenge to agricultural output 1 . A single abiotic stress on plant progression as well as development is one of the abiotic stresses on plant growth and development that eventually causes a drop in production 2 . Salt stress affects 20% of the biosphere's arable land, worsening because of human activities and global warming 3 .…”

“…Salinity is a type of environmental stress that can contribute to around 50% of output losses 4 , 5 . Salt stress impairs plant growth as well as production by putting osmotic stress, which causes ion poisonousness and nutritional disparity in plants 2 , 6 . Plants under salt stress experience physiological, biochemical, morphological, as well as molecular alterations 2 , 7 , 8 .…”

“…Salt stress impairs plant growth as well as production by putting osmotic stress, which causes ion poisonousness and nutritional disparity in plants 2 , 6 . Plants under salt stress experience physiological, biochemical, morphological, as well as molecular alterations 2 , 7 , 8 . Salinity also alters the ultrastructure of cells, hinders photosynthesis, damages membrane structures, increases the production of responsive oxygen agents, and inhibits enzymatic activity, all of which harm crop development and yield 9 , 10 (Fig.…”

Use of a Biostimulant to Mitigate Salt Stress in Maize Plants

“…Different approaches have been studied, developed, and adopted to tackle salinity, and they are based on the use of salt-tolerant genotypes, the application of amendments, the implementation of different irrigation techniques [4,14]. However, there is recent and increasing attention in using biostimulants to improve plant resistance to salt stress, even though these substances have been initially employed to increase the production and quality of horticultural species [15].…”

The Impact of Shale Oil Residue on the Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Corn Seedlings under Saline Soil Conditions

“…Salt stress negatively impacts various growth indicators of maize seedlings, including seedling height, leaf number, leaf area, and the fresh and dry weights of both aboveground and underground parts [9,[25][26][27]. Similar salt-induced damage has been reported in other crops such as tomatoes [10], rapeseed [28], wheat [29], cotton [11], and clover [30].…”