Co-inoculation of biochar and arbuscular mycorrhizae for growth promotion and nutrient fortification in soybean under drought conditions

Abstract

Drought is significant abiotic stress that affects the development and yield of many crops. The present study is to investigate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and biochar on root morphological traits, growth, and physiological traits in soybean under water stress. Impact of AMF and biochar on development and root morphological traits in soybean and AMF spores number and the soil enzymes’ activities were studied under drought conditions. After 40 days, plant growth parameters were measured. Drought stress negatively affected soybean growth, root parameters, physiological traits, microbial biomass, and soil enzyme activities. Biochar and AMF individually increase significantly plant growth (plant height, root dry weight, and nodule number), root parameters such as root diameter, root surface area, total root length, root volume, and projected area, total chlorophyll content, and nitrogen content in soybean over to control in water stress. In drought conditions, dual applications of AMF and biochar significantly enhanced shoot and root growth parameters, total chlorophyll, and nitrogen contents in soybean than control. Combined with biochar and AMF positively affects AMF spores number, microbial biomass, and soil enzyme activities in water stress conditions. In drought stress, dual applications of biochar and AMF increase microbial biomass by 28.3%, AMF spores number by 52.0%, alkaline phosphomonoesterase by 45.9%, dehydrogenase by 46.5%, and fluorescein diacetate by 52.2%, activities. The combined application of biochar and AMF enhance growth, root parameters in soybean and soil enzyme activities, and water stress tolerance. Dual applications with biochar and AMF benefit soybean cultivation under water stress conditions.

The role of plant-associated rhizobacteria in plant growth, biocontrol and abiotic stress management

“…The plant's survival during a drought is guaranteed by PGPR through a variety of mechanisms, including osmotic adjustments, increased antioxidant activity, phytohormone production, etc., and these mechanisms also promote the plant's growth. Additionally, new developments in omics technologies have improved our understanding of PGPR, which makes it easier to investigate the genes involved in colonizing plant tissue (Baba et al, 2021; Jabborova et al, 2021, 2022; Kapadia et al, 2021; Kapadia, Kachhdia, et al, 2022; Kapadia, Patel, et al, 2022; Khan et al, 2021; Khumairah et al, 2022).…”

Enhancing soil resilience and crop physiology with biochar application for mitigating drought stress in durum wheat (Triticum durum)

“…Furthermore, according to Jabborova et al [ 4 ], adding biochar significantly increases the chlorophyll, nitrogen (N), and carbon (C) content of soybean plants in conditions resembling drought. Numerous studies [ 1 , 77 ] have reported that biochar can enhance the activity of protective enzymes and antioxidants in plants, which can mitigate the negative effects of drought stress on photosynthesis.…”

“…However, it is essential to acknowledge that the harsh climate characteristic of arid and semi-arid regions stands as the primary factor limiting grain productivity. Indeed, various crops face substantial abiotic stress, notably drought stress (DS), which adversely affects their growth and yield [ 4 ]. During drought conditions, the soil's capacity to retain water diminishes, leading to osmotic stress that restricts the flow of water and nutrients to plants.…”

Seed bio-priming with beneficial Trichoderma harzianum alleviates cold stress in maize

“…Also, in a study ( Yedidia et al, 2001 ), T203 isolates of T. harzianum increased the cucumber shoot length by 45% compared to the control. Possible mechanisms of Trichoderma -induced increased shoot length can be through promoting the efficiency of nutrient transport from soil to roots through pathways similar to mycorrhizal fungi ( Jabborova et al, 2022 ; Saboor et al, 2021 ; Najafi et al, 2021 ; Bastami et al., 2021 ). Plant peroxidases are significant in plant activities such as interfering with lignin biosynthesis, auxin metabolism, scavenging oxygen free radicals, providing resistance to oxidative stress, wound healing, etc.…”