Publication detail

Impact of Biochar Application on Germination Behavior and Early Growth of Maize Seedlings: Insights from a Growth Room Experiment

Liaqat Ali, Wang Xiukang, Muhammad Naveed, Sobia Ashraf, Sajid Mahmood Nadeem, Fasih Ullah Haider, Adnan Mustafa

Original Title

Type

journal article in Web of Science

Language

English

Original Abstract

Reduced germination and early crop maturity due to soil compaction, nutrients stress, and low moisture are major constraints to achieve optimum crop yield, ultimately resulting in significant economic damages and food shortages. Biochar, having the potential to improve physical and chemical properties of soil, can also improve nutrients and moisture access to plants. In the present study, a growth room experiment was conducted to assess biochar influence on maize seed germination, early growth of seedlings, and its physiological attributes. Corn cob biochar (CCB) was mixed with soil at different rates (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, and 3% w/w) before seed sowing. Results obtained showed that increasing CCB application rate have neutral to positive effects on seed germination and seedling growth of maize. Biochar addition at the rate of 1.5% (w/w) significantly increased shoot dry biomass (40%), root dry biomass (32%), total chlorophyll content (a and b) (55%), germination percentage (13%), seedling vigor (85%), and relative water content (RWC) (68%), in comparison to un-amended control treatment. In addition to this, it also improved germination rate (GR) by 3% as compared to control treatment, while causing a reduction in mean emergence time (MET). Moreover, application of biochar (3%) also resulted in enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activity, particularly superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) by 13% and 17%, respectively. Conclusively, biochar application is an attractive approach to improve the initial phase of plant growth and provide better crop stand and essential sustainable high yields.

Keywords

biochar; germination; seedling vigor; chlorophyll; germination rate; maize growth

Authors

Liaqat Ali, Wang Xiukang, Muhammad Naveed, Sobia Ashraf, Sajid Mahmood Nadeem, Fasih Ullah Haider, Adnan Mustafa

Released

9. 12. 2021

Publisher

MDPI

Location

BASEL

ISBN

2076-3417

Periodical

Applied Sciences - Basel

Year of study

Number

11666

State

Swiss Confederation

Pages from

Pages to

Pages count

URL

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/24/11666

BibTex

@article{BUT176987,
  author="Adnan {Mustafa}",
  title="Impact of Biochar Application on Germination Behavior and Early Growth of Maize Seedlings: Insights from a Growth Room Experiment",
  journal="Applied Sciences - Basel",
  year="2021",
  volume="11",
  number="11666",
  pages="1--13",
  doi="10.3390/app112411666",
  issn="2076-3417",
  url="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/24/11666"
}