Effects of Wood-Derived Biochar on Germination, Physiology, and Growth of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Turkey Oak (Quercus cerris L.)

Vannini, Andrea; Carbognani, Michele; Chiari, G; Forte, T’ai G. W.; Lumiero, Fabio; Malcevschi, Alessio; Rodolfi, Margherita; Ganino, Tommaso; Petraglia, Alessandro

doi:10.3390/plants11233254

Cited by 7 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…Specifically, it significantly affected both RL and GI, but not GN. Not significant changes in GN suggest that biochar did not affect seed endosperm weakening and the emergence of radicles (germination in the strict sense); this is consistent with previous works on maize [ 27 , 28 ], European beech, Turkey oak [ 29 ] and different herbaceous perennial species [ 30 ]. Nevertheless, biochar alone (100% treatments) clearly compromised GN.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Effect of Biochar Type, Concentration and Washing Conditions on the Germination Parameters of Three Model Crops

Carril

Ghorbani

Celletti

2023

Plants

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Biochar has been recognized as a promising and efficient material for soil amendment. However, its effects on seed germination are variable due to its alkaline pH and/or the presence of phytotoxic substances. In this study, two types of biochar (B1 and B2) were mixed with soil at different concentrations (0%, 5%, 10%, 25%, 50% and 100%, w:w), and both the solid and liquid fractions of these mixtures were tested on the germination of basil, lettuce and tomato seeds. Furthermore, solid fractions subjected to a pre-washing treatment (B1W and B2W) were also investigated for their effects on seed germination. Three germination parameters were then measured: seed germination number (GN), radicle length (RL) and germination index (GI). Biochar B2W at 10% increased both RL and GI in basil by 50% and 70%, respectively, while B1 at 25% increased these parameters in tomato by 25%. No effects or negative effects were recorded for lettuce. Liquid fractions (L1 and L2) generally hampered seed germination, suggesting the presence of potentially water-soluble phytotoxic compounds in biochar. These results point to biochar as a suitable component for germination substrates and highlight that germination tests are critical to select the best performing biochar according to the target crop.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Effect of Biochar Type, Concentration and Washing Conditions on the Germination Parameters of Three Model Crops

Carril

Ghorbani

Celletti

2023

Plants

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“…A large number of studies have shown that a combination of biochar and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilisers can improve the growth and quality of forest trees, which is important for improving plant yield [21,22]. XiaoLi B et al [23] found that the addition of 1-2% biochar had a significant positive effect on the seed germination, aboveground, and root growth of Robinia pseudoacacia L. Li H et al [24] found that the combination of biochar and chemical fertilisers significantly improved the quality and yield of apples.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Biochar Using N, P, and K Fertilisers on Growth and Quality of Lithocarpus litseifolius

Ye,

Zhang,

Lin

et al. 2024

Agronomy

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Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of facile combinations of biochar and N, P, and K fertilisers on the growth and physiological characteristics of Lithocarpus litseifolius seedlings, and to optimise the biochar/NPK ratio of Lithocarpus litseifolius. Method: A four-factor three-level orthogonal method was used to conduct a field experiment using 2-year-old Lithocarpus litseifolius. Nine fertiliser treatments and one control treatment (CK, i.e., no fertiliser) were established in a completely randomised block group with six replications of ten treatments. The plants were planted in October 2020 and harvested in November 2021, and fertiliser was applied once in April 2021 and once in July 2021. Results: Rational application could effectively promote the growth of Lithocarpus litseifolius, and T4(C2N1P2K3) produced the highest increase in plant height growth (17.03 cm), diameter growth (5.47 mm), soluble sugar (94.60 mg/g), soluble protein (4.59 mg/g), and phlorizin (old leaf: 16.00%; tender leaf: 15.13%); T8(C3N2P1K3) resulted in the highest chlorophyll a content (1.46 mg/g), chlorophyll b content (0.62 mg/g), and total chlorophyll content (2.08 mg/g), and T1(C1N1P1K1) resulted in the highest contents of starch (11.60 mg/g) and trilobatin (old leaf: 0.29%; tender leaf: 2.28%). The indicators corresponding to the above three treatments were significantly higher than those under the other treatments (p < 0.05). The results as analysed by the affiliation function method show that the highest mean value of the affiliation function was 0.645 after T4(C2N1P2K3) treatment. Conclusions: The combination of biochar and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilisers can effectively increase the biomass and active components of Lithocarpus litseifolius while reducing the amount of chemical fertiliser applied. A comprehensive analysis of the results showed that the T4 treatment (biochar: 20 g/plant; urea: 10 g/plant; superphosphate: 9 g/plant; potassium chloride: 12 g/plant) resulted in the highest comprehensive score, with the highest increase in plant height growth, ground diameter growth, root–crown ratio, soluble sugar, soluble protein, and phlorizin, as well as other indicators.

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Soil amendments alter tree growth and wood decay after forest thinning

Page‐Dumroese,

Jurgensen,

Miller

et al. 2024

Soil Science Soc of Amer J

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Forest soil amendments are increasingly used in western US forests to dispose of unmerchantable woody residues, reduce wildfire risk, and improve soil properties. Our objective was to determine the effect of fertilizer and organic amendments on tree growth and organic matter decomposition after thinning. Treatments were a control, three single soil amendments (wood chips, fertilizer, and biochar), and one combined soil amendment (biochar + fertilizer), each applied after thinning a ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex. Laws) stand. After 10 years, amendment treatments had no effect on tree diameter increment (p = 0.600), but the biochar + fertilizer and wood chip treatments significantly increased height growth (p = 0.006). To estimate belowground biological changes, we used wood stakes made from aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) as an index of microbial activity. Stakes were placed: (1) on top of the litter/amendments, (2) at the interface between the litter/amendments and mineral soil, and (3) vertically inserted into the mineral soil, and stake mass loss was measured over 5 years. Stake mass loss of each species was least on the soil surface and increased with increasing depth. Aspen stakes generally had greater mass loss at all three soil locations in the fertilizer and biochar treatments. In contrast, pine stake mass loss was lower than aspen and less affected by fertilizer. Using thinned tree biomass to create amendments can improve forest productivity by enhancing soil conditions and mitigating wildfire. However, the impact of amendments on tree growth may take decades to be detectable.

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Effects of Wood-Derived Biochar on Germination, Physiology, and Growth of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Turkey Oak (Quercus cerris L.)

Cited by 7 publications

References 67 publications

Effect of Biochar Type, Concentration and Washing Conditions on the Germination Parameters of Three Model Crops

Effect of Biochar Type, Concentration and Washing Conditions on the Germination Parameters of Three Model Crops

Effect of Biochar Using N, P, and K Fertilisers on Growth and Quality of Lithocarpus litseifolius

Soil amendments alter tree growth and wood decay after forest thinning

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