Biochars influence seed germination and early growth of seedlings

Solaiman, Zakaria M.; Murphy, Daniel V.; Abbott, Lynette K.

doi:10.1007/s11104-011-1031-4

Cited by 224 publications

(149 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Numerous studies showed that adding biochar into infertile soils can potentially increase the cation exchange capacity of the soil and nutrient sorption (Jien and Wang 2013;Gray et al 2014); stimulate soil microorganisms activities (Ducey et al 2013), and reduce plant nutrients leaching losses from the soil (Kameyama et al 2012). Moreover, several studies have highlighted the positive effects of biochar on root growth (Ogawa and Okimori 2010;Prendergast-Miller et al 2014), particularly increased root biomass (Xiao et al 2016) and root length (Solaiman et al 2012;Olmo et al 2016). There is also increasing interest in the combination of biochar with compost for improvement of soil quality other than C sequestration.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochar-compost mixture as amendment for improvement of polybag-growing media and oil palm seedlings at main nursery stage

Radin

Bakar

Ishak

et al. 2017

Int J Recycl Org Waste Agricult

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Purpose Production of oil palm seedling in the nursery mainly utilises top soil as polybag medium. These soils, especially in tropical regions, are acidic and have low organic matter content. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) biochar and compost incorporation as amendment in polybag medium for oil palm seedlings growth at the nursery stage. Methods A polybag experiment was conducted with four biochar rates (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% w/w C addition), two compost rates (0 and 30% v/v), and two fertiliser application rates (75 and 100% of recommended rate). The effects of biochar, compost, and biochar-compost combination on oil palm seedling growth was evaluated and the effectiveness of EFB biochar in retaining soil nutrients was determined indirectly by measuring amount of nutrient leached through the polybag medium. Results Biochar, compost, and biochar-compost amendment improved polybag media's chemical properties (pH, total C and N, C:N ratio, CEC, Mg, and Ca). There were no significant effects of the amendments on shoot biomass. However, root growth and shoot:root ratio significantly improved with 1.5% w/w C addition and 30% (v/v) compost with 75% recommended fertiliser rates applied. Furthermore, nutrient leaching measurement indicates that, EFB biochar significantly reduced ammonium-N leaching up to 21-46%. Conclusions Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of biochar and compost co-application to improve the chemical properties of polybag medium and root development of oil palm seedlings.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochar-compost mixture as amendment for improvement of polybag-growing media and oil palm seedlings at main nursery stage

Radin

Bakar

Ishak

et al. 2017

Int J Recycl Org Waste Agricult

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“…At the same time, much research and many (though not all) experimental applications of charcoal have demonstrated positive effects of black carbon on soil physical properties, including pore space; bulk density; water retention and infiltration [102,106,107]; soil chemical characteristics, such as a long-term increase in the cation exchange capacity [108,109], nutrient retention [110], improved P availability [111,112] (but frequently reduced N-availability [113], and reduced methane and nitrous oxide emissions [114][115][116] (but see [117,118]). Biochar applications have also been reported beneficial for soil biology, such as increases in mycorrhizal fungi [119] and in biological N 2 -fixation [120] (but see [121] and increases in overall diversity of the microbiota [103,122,123], despite the possible toxic nature of some biochar compounds [124]. In many (though not all) cases, experimental charcoal application has significantly increased agronomic productivity [123].…”

Section: Biochar and Indian Blacksoilsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Farming Practices for Sustainable Soil Use in the Humid Tropics and Rainforest Ecosystem Health

et al. 2016

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Abstract:Unsustainable farming practices such as shifting cultivation and slash-and-burn agriculture in the humid tropics threaten the preservation of the rainforest and the health of the local and global environment. In weathered soils prone to cohesion in humid tropic due to low Fe and carbon content and the enormous amounts of P that can be adsorbed, sustainable soil use is heavily dependent on the availability and efficient use of nutrients. This paper reviews the literature in the field and provides some insights about sustainable soil use in the humid tropics, mainly for the Brazilian Amazonia region. Careful management of organic matter and physical and chemical indicators is necessary to enhance root growth and nutrient uptake. To improve the rootability of the arable layer, a combination of gypsum with continuous mulching to increase the labile organic matter fraction responsible for the formation of a short-lived structure important for root growth is recommended, rather than tillage. Unlike mulching, mechanical disturbance via ploughing of Amazonian soils causes very rapid and permanent soil organic matter losses and often results in permanent recompaction and land degradation or anthropic savannization; thus, it should be avoided. Unlike in other regions, like southeast Brazil, saturating the soil solely with inorganic potassium and nitrogen soluble fertilizers is not recommended. Nutrient retention in the root zone can be enhanced if nutrients are added in a slow-release form and if biologically mediated processes are used for nutrient release, as occurs in green manure. Therefore, an alternative that favors using local resources to increase the supply of nutrients and offset processes that impair the efficiency of nutrient use must be pursued.

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“…Kwapinski et al (2010) showed the growth of maize seedlings was inhibited with Miscanthus biochar made at 400°C, and was stimulated by Miscanthus biochar made at 600°C (Solaiman, 2012). Biochar type and application rate influenced wheat seedling growth in a similar manner to both the soil-less Petri dish and soil-based bioassay (Wang and Xu, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The effect of biochar on seedling growth varied depending on soil properties (Solaiman, 2012;Wang and Xu, 2013) demonstrated that biochar improves the growth of wheat seedling, while Keller et al (2010) noted that even with tarenriched biochar amendment up to 10%, weight in soil, seedling growth of lettuce increased. Kwapinski et al (2010) showed the growth of maize seedlings was inhibited with Miscanthus biochar made at 400°C, and was stimulated by Miscanthus biochar made at 600°C (Solaiman, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of biochar on pepperoncini (Capsicum annuum L cv. Stavros) germination and seedling growth in two soil types

Liopa-Tsakalidi¹,

Barouchas²

2017

Aust J Crop Sci

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Biochar is a solid material obtained from the carbonization of biomass. The effect of biochar on the germination and seedling growth of pepperoncini pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Stavros) was studied under controlled growth chamber conditions in two experiments. The substrates in the pre-test experiment (first experiment) were 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% biochar (at 24°C or 28°C), while in the second experiment they were acidic (pH 6.1) or alkaline soil (pH 7.2), with or without biochar at 24°C. Three replicates (Petri dishes) for each treatment were placed at random in a growth chamber for 12 days at a 16/8h light/dark photoperiod, 12 klx light intensity and 80% relative humidity. In biochar substrates the seed germination percentage in Η 2 Ο-control was high at 24°C and low at 28°C. At 28°C it was also increased (4°C) and it was higher than the corresponding one in the Η 2 Ο-control. At both temperatures (24°C and 28°C) there was a tendency for increased height growth. The percentage of seed germination in acidic soil substrates was low (42%), while in alkaline soil substrates high (82%). All biochar applications in acidic soil substrates increased the seed germination percentage, which varied between 53% and 67%. Biochar application in alkaline soils substrates did not influence seed germination. Seedling height in acidic soil substrates was 0.15cm, while in alkaline soil substrates it was 1.63cm. Biochar application in acidic soils increased the seedling height, while in alkaline soils it was reduced when compared to the control.

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Biochars influence seed germination and early growth of seedlings

Cited by 224 publications

References 37 publications

Biochar-compost mixture as amendment for improvement of polybag-growing media and oil palm seedlings at main nursery stage

Biochar-compost mixture as amendment for improvement of polybag-growing media and oil palm seedlings at main nursery stage

Improving Farming Practices for Sustainable Soil Use in the Humid Tropics and Rainforest Ecosystem Health

Effects of biochar on pepperoncini (Capsicum annuum L cv. Stavros) germination and seedling growth in two soil types

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