Beneficial Effects of Biochar-Based Organic Fertilizer on Nitrogen Assimilation, Antioxidant Capacities, and Photosynthesis of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) under Saline-Alkaline Stress

Abstract

The Songnen Plain, whose climatic conditions are perfectly suited to sugar beet growth, is located in northeastern China. Unfortunately, this region has a lot of saline-alkaline land, which is the most important factor limiting sugar beet production. This study was undertaken to determine whether biochar-based organic fertilizer could alleviate the negative effect of saline-alkaline soil on sugar beet yield and whether such an effect correlated with changes in nitrogen assimilation, antioxidant system, root activity, and photosynthesis. Three treatments were established: Chemical fertilizers were applied to neutral soil (CK), chemical fertilizers were applied to saline-alkaline soil (SA), and biochar-based organic fertilizer was applied to saline-alkaline soil (SA + B). Our results showed that saline-alkaline stress significantly inhibited the nitrogen assimilation and antioxidant enzymes activities in root, root activity, and photosynthesis, thus significantly reducing the yield and sugar content of sugar beet. Under saline-alkaline conditions, the application of biochar-based organic fertilizer improved the activities of nitrogen assimilation enzymes in the root; at the same time, the antioxidant enzymes activities of the root were significantly increased for improving root activity in this treatment. Moreover, the application of biochar-based organic fertilizer could improve the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments, PSII (Photosystem II) activity, stomatal opening, and photosynthesis of sugar beet under saline-alkaline conditions. Hence, the growth and yield of sugar beet were improved by applying biochar-based organic fertilizer to saline-alkaline soil. These results proved the significance of biochar-based organic fertilizer in alleviating the negative effect of saline-alkaline stress on sugar beet. The results obtained in the pot experiment may not be viable in field conditions. Therefore, in the future, we will verify whether biochar-based organic fertilizer could alleviate the adverse effects of saline-alkaline stress on sugar beets yield under field conditions.

Impact of Corn Cob-Derived Biochar in Altering Soil Quality, Biochemical Status and Improving Maize Growth under Drought Stress

“…The activity of various enzymes was altered because biochar influences soil water holding capacity, specific surface area, gas exchange and other physicochemical properties of the soil [66]. We found in our experiment that organic carbon increased significantly with the addition of biochar (3% pyrolyzed at 400 • C) under drought stress (Figure 2d); this increase in organic carbon was attributed to the more recalcitrant nature of biochar as a stable source of organic carbon [8]. Improvements in total organic carbon in soil amended with biochar were also reported by other authors [86,87].…”

“…We should focus on the other sources to maintain a sufficient balance of organic substances in the soil. The application of biochar into the soil as an organic amendment could be an innovative approach for solving the problem in low-quality soils [8]. Biochar is a fine-grained and highly porous material that holds carbon produced under relatively high temperatures in the presence of low oxygen [9].…”

“…In the literature, several studies have reported that the application of biochar significantly improved the antioxidant enzyme contents, e.g., superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) together with a decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS), e.g., malondialdehyde (MDA), and electrolyte leakage (EL) in plants under stress conditions [16]. In a recent study, Zhang et al [8] revealed that the soil amendments with biochar increased antioxidant enzyme activity and decreased the MDA content in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) under stress conditions.…”

A scoping review on biochar-based fertilizers: enrichment techniques and agro-environmental application

“…In addition, the biochar-based organic fertilizer could improve the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments, PSII (Photosystem II) activity, stomatal opening, and photosynthesis of sugar beet under saline-alkaline conditions. These results proved the importance of biochar-based organic fertilizer to alleviate the negative effect of saline-alkali stress on sugar beet ( Zhang et al., 2020 ).…”

Early Sowing Combined with Adequate Potassium and Sulfur Fertilization: Promoting Beta vulgaris (L.) Yield, Yield Quality, and K- and S-Use Efficiency in a Dry Saline Environment

“…During the period of growth to maturity, plants face many environmental stresses, including salinity, especially in arid and semiarid environments in most parts of the world, including Egypt, where soil salinity increases annually; therefore, these adverse conditions cause a major ecological problem and restrict the performance of plants [1][2][3][4][5]. Salinity is the biggest enemy for plants because, as harmful environmental stress, it causes another harmful stress, "osmotic stress", which is the lack of water [6,7].…”