Biochar Improved Sugarcane Growth and Physiology under Salinity Stress

• Published in: Applied sciences Vol. 13; no. 13; p. 7708
• Main Authors: Vu, Ngoc-Thang, Bui, The-Khuynh, Vu, Thi-Thuy-Hang, Nguyen, Thu-Huyen, Le, Thi-Tuyet-Cham, Tran, Anh-Tuan, Vu, Ngoc-Lan, Tran, Van-Quang, Tong, Van-Giang, Nguyen, Xuan-Truong, Yang, Hwi-Chan, Lee, Soon-Jae, Kim, Young-Ho, Bae, Yun-Hyeong, Hyeon, Soon-Jae, Dinh, Thai-Hoang, Jang, Dong-Cheol
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01-07-2023
• Subjects: Abiotic stress; Agricultural production; biochar; Carbon; Charcoal; Chlorophyll; Dry weight; Growth; Growth stage; Leaves; Osmosis; Physiological aspects; Physiology; Plant growth; Productivity; Raw materials; saline; Salinity; Salinity effects; Salt; Saturation deficit; Seedlings; Sodium chloride; Soil conditions; Sugarcane; Vietnam; Japan; Australia
• ISSN: 2076-3417; 2076-3417
• DOI: 10.3390/app13137708

Biochar is suggested as a conditioner for salt-affected soils for various crops. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of biochar on the growth and physiology of sugarcane under saline and non-saline conditions at an early growth stage. The experiment was conducted in pots in the greenhouses with three replications. Three biochar rates (0, 5, and 10 tons ha−1) were applied before transplanting sugarcane seedlings into the pots. Four weeks after transplanting, plants were irrigated with 300 mL of 100 mM NaCl every two days for 2 weeks. Salinity significantly affected the growth and physiology of sugarcanes. The application of biochar increased plant height, shoot dry weight, root volume, root dry weight, Fv/Fm, and chlorophyll content while decreasing the water saturation deficit and the relative ion leakage in the leaves under both saline and non-saline conditions. Thus, biochar application has positive effects on the growth and physiology of sugarcane at an early growth stage under both saline and non-saline conditions. However, further study is suggested to investigate the effects of biochar on sugarcane under saline stress in the field at different growth stages.