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Impact of biochar prepared from leaves of Populous euphratica on soil microbial activity and mung bean (Vigna radiata) growth

  • S. I. BIOCHAR
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Abstract

In Pakistan, a lot of waste is generated from the falling leaves of Populous trees every season and dumped as unused waste material. A study was conducted at Pir Mehr Ali Shah-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan, to investigate the effect of biochar prepared from populous trees on soil microbial biomass, soil enzymes activity, microbial population, and growth of mung bean. Biochar was prepared from leaves of Populous euphratica at 350 °C for 3 h. Eighteen plastic pots were filled with 5.0-kg soil in each to accommodate six treatments with three replications. The treatments were biochar at 50 g kg−1, N at 0.0216 g kg−1, P at 0.0652 g kg−1, biochar (50 g kg−1) plus N (0.0216 g kg−1), biochar (50 g kg−1) plus P (0.0652 g kg−1), and control (no application). Mung bean (Vigna radiata) plants were grown in each pot for 60 days. Soil samples were collected at crop maturity and analyzed for microbial indices like enzymatic activity and microbial population, and plant nutrients. The results indicated that highest microbial biomass carbon (MBC) was observed in biochar + phosphorus (BC + P) treatment which was 65% higher than control. Similarly, highest microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) was observed in BC + N treatment which was 38% higher than control. For enzyme urease and alkaline phosphatase, highest activity was observed in treatment BC + N and BC + P respectively, which was 4% and 24% higher than control. Highest population of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes was observed in treatment where biochar and BC + P were applied, respectively. The study concluded that biochar prepared from populous leaves can be used effectively along with N and P fertilizers to improve microbial activity of soil and consequently crop growth.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Soil Science, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi, 46300, Pakistan

    Muhammad Akmal, Tanveer Ahmed Gondal, Khalid Saifullah Khan, Qaiser Hussain, Muhammad Subtain Abbas, Hafeez Ullah Rafa & Shahab Ahmad Khosa

  2. Department of Agronomy, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

    Mukhtar Ahmad

Authors
  1. Muhammad Akmal
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  2. Tanveer Ahmed Gondal
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  3. Khalid Saifullah Khan
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  4. Qaiser Hussain
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  5. Mukhtar Ahmad
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  6. Muhammad Subtain Abbas
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  7. Hafeez Ullah Rafa
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  8. Shahab Ahmad Khosa
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Correspondence to Muhammad Akmal.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Implications of Biochar Application to Soil Environment under Arid Conditions

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Akmal, M., Gondal, T.A., Khan, K.S. et al. Impact of biochar prepared from leaves of Populous euphratica on soil microbial activity and mung bean (Vigna radiata) growth. Arab J Geosci 12, 591 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-019-4724-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-019-4724-2

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