Biochar effects on the seedling quality ofQuercus serrataandPrunus sargentiiin a containerized production system

Abstract

Biochars are used to improve soil quality and crop productivity as well as to increase carbon sequestration in soil. However, it is important to identify the characteristics of biochar prior to its application because of the positive and negative effects on soil and crop productivity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of charcoals on the growth and seedling quality of Quercus serrata and Prunus sargentii in a containerized seedling production system. Two of the charcoals used in our research were from oak tree; one produced at 1200 C and the other at 700 $ 800 C, and a bamboo charcoal produced at about 800 C. Three charcoals were mixed with artificial soil (peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite with a ratio of 1:1:1 (v/v/v)), and applied commercial fertilizer at two concentrations; 0.5 and 1.0 g L À1. Growth parameters, such as height, root collar diameter, and dry weight, were decreased in charcoal treatments compared to control. However, charcoal treatments significantly increased the quality index of seedlings by 8.3% in Q. serrata and by 19.9% in P. sargentii. Our results suggested that charcoal can be applied to improve seedling quality in the containerized Q. serrata and P. sargentii seedling production system.

Hydrochar-Amended Substrates for Production of Containerized Pine Tree Seedlings under Different Fertilization Regimes

“…Under the full fertilizer regime, we found 75% increment in the quality index of the pine seedlings when grown with 20% hydrochar powder (v/v) in comparison with untreated seedlings. This is corroborated by Rezende et al [51] and Aung et al [49], who also found that biochar treatment significantly increased the quality index in Tectona grandis, Quercus serrata and Prunus sargentii. These researchers explained the observed increase in QID with improved water retention in growing substrates amended with biochar in a containerized production system.…”

“…This was done using QID of different hydrochar application under the various fertilization scenarios. QID is one of the most comprehensive indices evaluating seedling quality [49]. We found that application of 20% (v/v) hydrochar as either powder or pellet and a 50% fertilizer dose resulted in the same quality of pine seedlings as seedlings growing in non-amended substrate but receiving full rate of fertilizer (optimum growth condition) ( Figure 2).…”

Biochar hydrological characteristics in related to branch wood properties

“…Thus, key parameters that can be used to estimate the characteristics of biochar should be determined. Simple parameters can be beneficial for biochar end-users to predict the suitable applications of biochar products (Aung et al 2018). Mukome et al (2013) stated that recognizing the inherent feedstock properties is one of the best approaches for determining the resultant biochar characteristics.…”

Balanced mixture of biochar and synthetic fertilizer increases seedling quality of Acacia mangium

“…However, the effects of biochar on trees ´seedlings growth and quality differ among species and biochar characteristics (e.g. Fornes & Belda, 2019;Aung et al, 2018). So, despite the potential advantages of biochar use, its particular effects should be tested on different study systems since positive and negative effects on soil and crop productivity have been reported (Aung et al, 2019).…”