Effects of saline water on soil properties and red radish growth in saline soil as a function of co-applying wood chips biochar with chemical fertilizers

Abstract

Background Currently, using unconventional water sources in agriculture has become necessary to face overpopulation worldwide. Therefore, a pot experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of irrigation with saline water in the presence of co-applied wood chips biochar (WCB) with chemical fertilizers on physicochemical properties and nutrient availability as well as growth parameters, and yield of red radish (Raphanus sativus L.) grown in the saline sandy soil. Methods The WCB was added to the saline sandy soil at levels of 0 (control), 2.5, and 5% w/w. Then, this soil was cultivated by red radish plants and irrigated with saline water (5 dS m− 1). This experiment was performed in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Results Compared with the control treatment, WCB treatments increased significantly soil water holding capacity by 34.8% and 73.2% for levels of 2.5 and 5%, respectively. Soil pH decreased significantly in all WCB treatments. The relative increase in the total available nitrogen over the control was 30.1 and 103.5% for 2.5 and 5% wood chips biochar, respectively. Compared to the control, applying WCB at 2.5% led to an increase in the fresh root weight of red radish plants by 142.7%, while 5% caused a decrease in the fresh root weight of red radish plants by 29.4%. Conclusion Recently, WCB represents an interesting approach to the rehabilitation of saline soils and the management of using saline water sources. It is recommended that combined application of WCB at a level of 2.5% with chemical fertilizers in order to improve red radish growth and nutrient retention in the saline sandy soil which preserves the ecosystem as well as increases productivity leading to the reduction of costs.

Biochar influences nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics in two texturally different soils

“…The effectiveness of biochar on soil properties is a multifactor phenomenon and depends on biochar synthetic methodology, soil type, biochar levels and so on 26 – 28 . The biochar applications have been known to influence nutrient applications, and the results are optimum if the BCs are prepared under the best conditions.…”

“… 33 , 39 . The increase in the rate of ABC might have caused the immobilization of soil N due to a higher C/N ratio than RSB 27 , 28 , 40 . Contrarily, Dempster et al 36 reported a significant decrease in net nitrification by applying Eucalyptus biochar (wood biochar) with increasing biochar addition in coarse-textured soils.…”

Biochar and organic fertilizer drive the bacterial community to improve the productivity and quality of Sophora tonkinensis in cadmium-contaminated soil

“…In the remediation of soils contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals, it was found that the relative abundance increase of Proteobacteria would lead to better remediation effects ( Kuppusamy et al, 2016 ). Under nutrient-rich conditions, Proteobacteria usually dominate among bacterial species, with a relatively high relative abundance ( Amin, 2023 ). However, sometimes there are differences ( Amin, 2023 ).…”

Interactive Effects of Microbial Fertilizer and Soil Salinity on the Hydraulic Properties of Salt-Affected Soil

“…Soil available P was extracted with 0.5 mol L −1 NaHCO 3 [ 38 ]. In addition, soil available K was measured using flame photometry, which was extracted with 1 M ammonium acetate [ 39 ].…”