Abstract
Purpose
Biochar production utilising invasive species as feedstock is recommended due to its numerous benefits, hence assessing its impact on the growth of plants and soil properties is critical.
Methods
This study investigated the impact of biochar made from the leaf litter of Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L’Hér. ex Vent. on the growth and biochemical attributes of a leguminous crop (Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth) and soil enzymatic activities. The study was conducted in laboratory and experimental dome conditions, with biochar amendment rates ranging from 0 to 4%.
Results
The majority of the plant-related parameters were enhanced up to a 2% amendment rate, whereas an inhibitory effect was observed at 4%, except for carotenoids, total phenolic content, and the activities of enzymes (polyphenol oxidases and peroxidases). Growth attributes (10‒80%), protein content (8‒56%), carbohydrate content (3‒30%), total phenolic content (11‒111%), and related enzymatic activities (4‒201%) were increased significantly (P < 0.05) in both roots and shoots of C. cajan seedlings with an increasing amendment rate. The effects of biochar were more pronounced on the roots compared with the shoots. At higher doses, activities of proteases, ureases, dehydrogenases, and phosphatases in soil were increased by 8–155%, indicating improved microbial functioning. The Principal Component Analysis also revealed that majority of the soil and crop growth parameters were ordinated towards a 2% biochar amendment rate.
Conclusions
The findings of the study provide insight into biochar-assisted biochemical alterations in the leguminous crop C. cajan via modulation of soil microbial activity, paving the way for future research into sustainable agricultural practices.
Graphical Abstract
Highlights
Biochar prepared from leaf litter of an invasive tree B. papyrifera improved the growth of the leguminous crop, Cajanus cajan.
A significant increase in plant macromolecular content and enzymatic activities is indicative of the benefits of biochar.
A 2% rate of biochar amendment was most effective, based on laboratory and experimental dome conditions.
Roots responded better to the biochar amendments than the shoots.
The biophysical properties of soil improved with increasing doses of biochar.
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Data Availability
The authors declare that the data presented in this manuscript is their own work. The data would be made available on request to the corresponding author.
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Acknowledgements
Ipsa Gupta and Rishikesh Singh are thankful to the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Science and Engineering Research Board (DST-SERB, Grant No. PDF/2020/001607), New Delhi, India, for providing research funding.
Funding
The funds for undertaking this work were provided by University Grants Commission (UGC), India, to Ipsa Gupta and by Science and Engineering Research Board (DST-SERB, Grant No. PDF/2020/001607), New Delhi, India, to Rishikesh Singh.
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D.R.B.: Project leader; conceptualization; experimental design; A.K.: Co-project leader; H.P.S.: Experimental layout manuscript editing; I.G.: Experimentation, data collection, data analysis, manuscript preparation; R.S. Experimental layout, data analysis, manuscript preparation; R.K.K.: Co-project leader; manuscript editing. All authors reviewed the manuscript.
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Gupta, I., Singh, R., Kaushik, A. et al. Impact of Broussonetia papyrifera Biochar on the Biological Attributes of Cajanus cajan and Soil Enzymatic Activities. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-024-01688-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-024-01688-y