Biochar: A Surrogate Approach to Modulating Soil Chemical Properties and Germination Parameters of Barley Plants Grown under Multi-Stress Conditions

Abstract

Background Owing to its unique features, biochar (BC) is an excellent surrogate approach to improve the chemical properties of soil with undesirable characteristics. Methods. Under multiple abiotic stresses (ECe = 10.8 vs. 10.7 dS.m−1; CaCO3 = 19.1 vs. 18.8%; soil pH = 8.15 vs. 8.13) during two growing seasons (2020/2021 and 2021/2022), an experimental pot study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of palm tree frond biochar (PTF-BC) applied at three rates (0.0, 28.0, and 56.0 g.pot−1, labeled as BC0, BC1, and BC2) generated under three pyrolysis temperatures (350, 500, and 700 °C, labeled as PT350, PT500, and PT700). The experiment was set up according to a split-plot structure in a randomized complete block design; the pyrolysis temperatures were set as the main plot and BC addition rates were set as sub-main plots. Results. The results indicate that PT700 and BC2 had the most impact on soil chemical properties, except soil pH, which was positively affected by PT350 and BC1. Regarding the germination parameters, the data reveal that PT350 and P700 were the superior treatments, while BC2 led to noteworthy elevations of all studied germination parameters, except germination rate (GR), in both seasons. The heat map illustrating the studied soil chemical properties fluctuates between positive and negative. Conclusion. In short, the application of BC has profound desirable effects on soil physio-chemical properties relying on PTs.