Potential Effects of Biochar Application for Improving Wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.) Growth and Soil Biochemical Properties under Drought Stress Conditions

Abstract

Different soil amendments are applied to improve soil properties and to achieve higher crop yield under drought conditions. The objective of the study was to investigate the role of biochar for the improvement of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth and soil biochemical properties under drought conditions. A pot experiment with a completely randomized design was arranged with four replications in a wire house. Drought was imposed on two critical growth stages (tillering and grain filling) and biochar was applied to the soil 10 days before sowing at two different rates (28 g kg−1 and 38 g kg−1). Soil samples were collected to determine the soil properties including soil respiration and enzymatic parameters after crop harvesting. Results showed that water stress negatively affects all biochemical properties of the soil, while biochar amendments positively improved these properties. Application of biochar at 38 g kg−1 provided significantly higher mineral nutrients, Bray P (18.72%), exchangeable-K (7.44%), soil carbon (11.86%), nitrogen mineralization (16.35%), and soil respiration (6.37%) as a result of increased microbial activities in comparison with the 28 g kg−1 rate.

Keywords

• biochar
• drought
• enzymatic activities
• mineral nutrients
• soil properties