Beneficial Features of Biochar and Arbuscular Mycorrhiza for Improving Spinach Plant Growth, Root Morphological Traits, Physiological Properties, and Soil Enzymatic Activities

Abstract

Biochar and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can promote plant growth, improve soil properties, and maintain microbial activity. The effects of biochar and AMF on plant growth, root morphological traits, physiological properties, and soil enzymatic activities were studied in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of biochar and AMF on the growth of spinach. Four treatments, a T1 control (soil without biochar), T2 biochar alone, T3 AMF alone, and T4 biochar and AMF together, were arranged in a randomized complete block design with five replications. The biochar alone had a positive effect on the growth of spinach, root morphological traits, physiological properties, and soil enzymatic activities. It significantly increased the plant growth parameters, such as the shoot length, leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, shoot fresh weight, and shoot dry weight. The root morphological traits, plant physiological attributes, and soil enzymatic activities were significantly enhanced with the biochar alone compared with the control. However, the combination of biochar and AMF had a greater impact on the increase in plant growth, root morphological traits, physiological properties, and soil enzymatic activities compared with the other treatments. The results suggested that the combined biochar and AMF led to the highest levels of spinach plant growth, microbial biomass, and soil enzymatic activity.

Response of Seeds, Oil Yield and Fatty Acids Percentage of Jojoba Shrub Strain EAI to Mycorrhizal Fungi and Moringa Leaves Extract

“…This improvement is due to the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in increasing absorption of water and nutrients, and enhances transport of immobile mineral elements through exploring larger volumes of the soil by mycorrhizal hyphae to stimulate the growth of plants [46]. These results are in harmony with studies by Davies et al [17] on pepper, Ruiz-Lozano and Azcon [18] on lettuce, Auge et al [19] on the common bean, Ruiz-Lozano et al [20] on soybean, Ortas [21] on maize, wheat and cotton, Roldan et al [23] on juniperus, Ortas and Rattan [24] on pepper, wheat and maize, Tobar et al [25] on lettuce, Igiehon et al [26] on soybean, Jabborova et al [27] on spinach, Jabborova et al [28] on ginger, Zewail et al [29] on stevia and Ortas [47] on twelve plant species.…”

“…In addition, mycorrhizal fungi increase the resistance to drought and salinity stresses as well as pests and soil-borne diseases and improve growth and osmotic adjustment through stimulating the production of growth-regulating substances [16]. In this field, many studies such as those by Davies et al [17] on pepper, Ruiz-Lozano and Azcon [18] on lettuce, Auge et al [19] on the common bean, Ruiz-Lozano et al [20] on soybean, Ortas [21] on maize, wheat and cotton, Karandashov and Bucher [22], Roldan et al [23] on Juniperus, Ortas and Rattan [24] on pepper, wheat and maize, Tobar et al [25] on lettuce, Igiehon et al [26] on soybean, Jabborova et al [27] on spinach, Jabborova et al [28] on ginger and Zewail et al [29] on stevia were conducted.…”

Exogenous Nitric Oxide Reinforces Photosynthetic Efficiency, Osmolyte, Mineral Uptake, Antioxidant, Expression of Stress-Responsive Genes and Ameliorates the Effects of Salinity Stress in Wheat

“…NO application was advantageous in improving the chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments at both the concentrations and imparted a positive impact on the photosynthetic efficiency and stomatal conductance. Earlier reports detect the reduction in chlorophyll contents in NaCl-stressed plants [ 62 , 63 ]. Enhancement of photosynthetic capacity following NO treatment was observed in salt-stressed wheat plants by assisting in the synthesis of other pigments protecting components such as cysteine and reduced glutathione that protect the chlorophyll breakdown as well as up-regulation of the activity of enzymes involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis [ 64 , 65 ].…”

Sand Particle Size and Phosphorus Amount Affect Rhizophagus irregularis Spore Production Using In Vitro Propagated Spore as a Starter Inoculum in Rhizosphere of Maize (Zea mays) Plantlets

“…AM fungi can help plants acquire phosphorous (P), nitrogen (N), potassium (K), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) [3][4][5][6][7][8]. They also improve plant drought tolerance by improving water transportation, osmotic adjustment, gas exchange, and protection against oxidative damage [9][10][11]. AM fungi form soil aggregates and improve soil structure [12].…”