Biochar amendment alters root morphology of maize plant: Its implications in enhancing nutrient uptake and shoot growth under reduced irrigation regimes

Abstract

IntroductionBiochar amendment provides multiple benefits in enhancing crop productivity and soil nutrient availability. However, whether biochar addition affects root morphology and alters plant nutrient uptake and shoot growth under different irrigation regimes remain largely unknown.MethodsA split-root pot experiment with maize (Zea mays L.) was conducted on clay loam soil mixed with 2% (w/w) of wheat-straw (WSP) and softwood (SWP) biochar. The plants were subjected to full (FI), deficit (DI), and alternate partial root-zone drying (PRD) irrigation from the fourth leaf to the grain-filling stage.Results and discussionThe results showed that, compared to plants grown in unamended soils, plants grown in the biochar-amended soils possessed greater total root length, area, diameter, volume, tips, forks, crossings, and root length density, which were further amplified by PRD. Despite a negative effect on soil available phosphorus (P) pool, WSP addition improved soil available nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca) pool and cation exchange capacity under reduced irrigation. Even though biochar negatively affected nutrient concentrations in shoots as exemplified by lowered N, P, K (except leaf), and Ca concentration, it dramatically enhanced plant total N, P, K, Ca uptake, and biomass. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the modified root morphology and increased soil available nutrient pools, and consequently, the higher plant total nutrient uptake might have facilitated the enhanced shoot growth and yield of maize plants in biochar-added soils. Biochar amendment further lowered specific leaf area but increased leaf N concentration per area-to-root N concentration per length ratio. All these effects were evident upon WSP amendment. Moreover, PRD outperformed DI in increasing root area-to-leaf area ratio. Overall, these findings suggest that WSP combined with PRD could be a promising strategy to improve the growth and nutrient uptake of maize plants.

Chemical Fertilizer Reduction Combined with Biochar Application Ameliorates the Biological Property and Fertilizer Utilization of Pod Pepper

“…On the one hand, biochar possesses a high specific surface area, and is also rich in mineral components that enable it to absorb soil nutrients directly, thereby reducing nutrient loss [37,38]. On the other hand, biochar can stimulate the activity of soil microorganisms and improve the soil microbiological environment, which is beneficial for promoting crop root growth and yield formation [39][40][41]. The findings of the present investigation suggested an inhibition of yield at the highest doses of mineral fertilizer (CF90B).…”

Biochar Amendment Increases C and N Retention in the Soil–Plant Systems: Its Implications in Enhancing Plant Growth and Water-Use Efficiency Under Reduced Irrigation Regimes of Maize (Zea mays L.)

“…In addition, biochar application, particularly WSP, enhanced soil available nutrient pools. All these beneficial effects contributed to improved plant nutrient uptake and shoot growth consequently enhanced plant biomass accumulation (Wan et al 2023).…”

“…Partial root-zone drying (PRD) irrigation is a modification of DI that involves irrigating only part of the root system while allowing the rest of the roots experiencing soil drying, and the irrigation side is swapped in frequency depending on the soil moisture and crop water status (Kang and Zhang 2004). Studies on many crop species have shown that PRD could save irrigation water and outperform DI in terms of maintaining yields and improving WUE (Sepaskhah and Ahmadi 2010;Wang et al 2012Wang et al , 2017Wan et al 2023). Moreover, the drying/rewetting cycles of the soil under PRD could result in the "Birch effect" (Birch 1958), stimulating the mineralization of soil organic matter, thereby increasing soil N bioavailability and crop N uptake (Wang et al 2010a, b, c;Wang et al 2012).…”

Nano Biochar Coating Methods of Urea Type to Increase the Growth and Yield of Shallot

“…Surjan system directs irrigation water into channels between the beds by irrigating the beds for a long time, generally used for cultivating shallots in rice fields [1]. As a result, creative irrigation techniques are needed to reduce irrigation water consumption, boost plant water-use effectiveness (WUE), and minimally affect crop yield [2]. Above all, using a combination of biofertilizer and In an intercropping system, N2 (45 kg ha−1 N) is a feasible method to gradually raise crop grain output and sustain soil productivity [3].…”

“…Since the demand for shallots rises annually, more agricultural areas must be added to enhance production [2]. However, currently, agricultural land in Indonesia is getting narrower every year due to the conversion of land into non-agricultural land such as industry, settlements, and transportation routes, this makes the productivity of horticultural crops lower.…”