Rice yield and carbon dioxide emissions in a paddy soil: A comparison of biochar and polystyrene microplastics

Abstract

Biochar has been suggested as a soil supplement to improve soil fertility. The world is covered in microplastics (MPs). A pot greenhouse experiment was carried out to examine the effects of polystyrene (PS), sugarcane bagasse biochar (SBB), and their interactions (PS × SBB) on the CO2 emission and rice yield in a rice paddy calcareous soil. The largest CO2 emissions occurred 35–40 days following rice planting, which corresponds to the tillering stages of rice growth. Higher CO2 emissions were detected after SBB treatment. Our findings showed that applying PS increased CO2 emissions in our soil samples. Our research revealed that adding SBB can boosted the negative effects of PS in the soil. The co‐application of SBB and PS increased PS's stimulation of the CO2 emissions. We infer that PS‐SBB interactions have an impact on global warming potential, microbial community activity, and CO2 emissions. Both SBB rates resulted in a significant increase in biomass and rice grain. Our research indicates that PS has a detrimental effect on rice grain output and biomass, but that the addition of SBB can slightly lessen these effects.

Investigating the dynamics of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) in rainfed agroecosystems: an in-depth analysis of yield gap and strategic exploration for enhanced production

“…Soil modification through the application of biochar and organic fertilizer emerges as a viable alternative to enhance paddy yield in rainfed conditions (Rassaei, 2022(Rassaei, , 2024. Rainfed areas typically include critical zones vulnerable to water insufficiency, posing challenges to the growth and yield of plants.…”

“…To address the numerous challenges faced by rainfed areas, the application of soil amendments, specifically through biochar and organic fertilizer, emerges as a viable strategy to optimize rice growth while maintaining soil water availability (Głąb et al, 2020;Ansari et al, 2023). Biochar, primarily derived from the pyrolysis process involving the combustion of biomass or organic material under limited oxygen conditions and low temperatures (≤700°C), plays a crucial role in enhancing soil water retention and reduce nitrous oxide emission (Mukhtar et al, 2023;Rassaei, 2023Rassaei, , 2024. Physically, biochar is highly porous, thus its application to soil is considered to improve a range of soil physical and chemical properties including soil moisture content, plant available water content (PAWC) (Hardie et al, 2014), water retention capacity and nutritional status of rhizosphere (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) (Ghassemi-Golezani et al, 2023).…”

Biochar in Agriculture: Enhancing Crop Productivity and Disease Resistance

“…Recent research has highlighted various benefits of biochar use. For example, sugarcane bagasse biochar (SBB) has been utilized to counteract the negative effects of polystyrene micro plastics in rice ecosystems, resulting in reduced methane emissions and improved yield and biomass production [15]. Similarly, SBB has been applied to enhance the growth of corn and rice in soils contaminated with lead and cadmium, leading to increased shoot and root dry weights and demonstrating its effectiveness in remediating polluted soils [16,17].…”

Impact of polystyrene microplastics on cadmium uptake in corn (Zea mays L.) in a cadmium‐contaminated calcareous soil

“…23 MPs can alter soil structure and characteristics, as well as plant performance, disrupting the indigenous microbial population. 18 Moreover, a recent study conducted by Rassaei 24 found that the application of PS negatively impacted the growth of rice plants, resulting in slower growth, decreased height, grain yield, and biomass.…”