Plant growth responses to biochar amendment of Mediterranean soils deficient in iron and phosphorus

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of biochar on plant growth under Fe-and P-deficient soil conditions. Lupin and sorghum (sensitive to soil Fe and P deficiency, respectively) were pot-grown on one (Fe) or two (P) soils to which either two biochars of contrasting properties (produced from olive-tree pruning and pine wood) or Fe/P fertilizers or biochars combined with Fe/P fertilizers were added. Without Fe addition, the olive-tree pruning biochar increased lupin growth with results comparable to those of the sole application of the Fe fertilization, while biochars combined with the Fe fertilization did not significantly affect plant growth variables relative to the Fe treatment alone. Biochar did not correct P deficiency in the tested soils. However, the application of the pine wood biochar together with a P fertilizer to a calcareous soil increased sorghum biomass yield by 42% relative to the sole application of the P fertilizer. Biochar addition did not significantly affect root traits, suggesting its scarce influence on nutrient mobilization and uptake efficiency. Although biochar alone did not alleviate nutrient deficiency in the studied soils due to the low Fe and P contents added in available form with the tested materials, the present results suggest that biochar can provide additional benefits combined with the use of fertilizers under nutrientdeficient conditions; and open new options to formulate biochar-based amendments that can play a relevant role in the context of sustainable agriculture.

Effects of biochar application on root traits: a meta‐analysis

“…Consequently, the responses of root traits to biochar application may depend on soil conditions (Macdonald et al ., ; Olmo et al ., ). In addition, biochar is often applied with fertilizer to the soil; this combined application may interactively regulate root growth (Alburquerque et al ., ). However, to our knowledge, no synthesis has revealed any general patterns of responses of root traits to biochar application.…”

Biochar potential in intensive cultivation of Capsicum annuum L. (sweet pepper): crop yield and plant protection

“…14,15 For the most part, biochars are not replacements for fertilizers, as they generally do not provide sufficient nutrients for high fertilizer input, intensive crops. 16,17 Yet, in combination with added nutrients either as chemical fertilizer or compost, biochar additions have been reported to improve various agronomic parameters.…”

Effects of Different Biochars Ammendments on Physiochemical Properties of Soil and Root Morphological Attributes of Fokenia Hodginsii (Fujian Cypress)

“…Therefore, the responses of root traits to BC incorporated soil depend on soil type and BC (Macdonald et al, 2014). In addition, BC often applied with fertilizer to the soil has interactively regulated the root growth of the plants (Alburquerque et al, 2015). The incorporation of all three BCs increased soil pH, however the rise in pH was evident under higher dose of BB and BR (Fig.…”