Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The role of biochar and sulfur-modified biochar on soil water content, biochemical properties and millet crop under saline-sodic and calcareous soil

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Plant and Soil Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aims

Soil microbial and enzymatic activity have important roles in soil health, nutrient cycle and plant growth. Biochar is an excellent biomass for increasing soil water content, but some biochar compounds, due to their high pH, are harmful to the soil. This study aimed to investigate the effect of biochar and sulfur-modified biochar on improving the soil water content and biochemical properties in a millet cropping system.

Methods

The field experiment was performed in a completely random design with three replications. Experimental treatments included control, 15 t ha− 1 sunflower biochar (B), and 15 t ha− 1 sulfur-modified biochar (BS).

Results

Biochar (B and BS) improved the soil water content by 47% and 35%, respectively, compared to the control. B and BS treatments improved soil biological properties, including microbial biomass carbon, basal respiration, and the activity of catalase, dehydrogenase, urease, and alkaline phosphatase enzymes compared to the control. The application of B and BS treatments decreased soil EC and sodium adsorption ratios compared to the control. The highest (8.26) and lowest (7.83) values of soil pH were related to the B and BS treatments, respectively. Treatment of soil with B and BS enhanced soil dissolved organic carbon (90% and 33%), available nitrogen (74% and 48%), and available phosphorus (60% and 96%) compared to the control. The application of B and BS treatments enhanced plant nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and the leaf relative water content by 40% and 14%, respectively. Biochar (B and BS) improved millet yield by 58% and 115%, respectively, compared to the control.

Conclusion

Sulfur increased the efficiency of biochar in amending saline and calcareous soil and enhanced millet yield by improving the chemical properties (pH and CEC) of biochar.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Data are available upon request.

References

  • Abel S, Peters A, Trinks S et al (2013) Impact of biochar and hydrochar addition on water retention and water repellency of sandy soil. Geoderma 202:183–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmad M, Rajapaksha AU, Lim JE et al (2014) Biochar as a sorbent for contaminant management in soil and water: a review. Chemosphere 99:19–33

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Almeida G, Hernández RE (2006) Changes in physical properties of tropical and temperate hardwoods below and above the fiber saturation point. Wood Sci Technol 40:599–613

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson TH, Domsch KH (1990) Application of eco-physiological quotients (qCO2 and qD) on microbial biomasses from soils of different cropping histories. Soil Biol Biochem 22:251–255. https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-0717(90)90094-G

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andronov EE, Petrova SN, Pinaev AG et al (2012) Analysis of the structure of microbial community in soils with different degrees of salinization using T-RFLP and real-time PCR techniques. Eurasian Soil Sci 45:147–156. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1064229312020044

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Babu S, Rana DS, Yadav GS et al (2014) A review on recycling of sunflower residue for sustaining soil health. Int J Agron 2014:601049. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/601049

  • Bachmann HJ, Bucheli TD, Dieguez-Alonso A et al (2016) Toward the standardization of biochar analysis: the COST action TD1107 interlaboratory comparison. J Agric Food Chem 64:513–527

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baligar VC, Wright RJ, Hern JL (2005) Enzyme activities in soil influenced by levels of applied sulfur and phosphorus. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 36:1727–1735

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bouyoucos GJ (1962) Hydrometer method improved for making particle size analyses of soils 1. Agron J 54:464–465. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1962.00021962005400050028x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burke JM, Fackler JP Jr (1972) Vibrational spectra of the thiocarbonate complexes of nickel (II), palladium (II), and platinum (II). Inorg Chem 11:2744–2749

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burns RG (1978) Enzymes activity in soil: some theoretical and practical considerations. Academic Press, London, pp 295–340

  • Cheng H, Jones DL, Hill P et al (2018) Influence of biochar produced from different pyrolysis temperature on nutrient retention and leaching. Arch Agron Soil Sci 64:850–859

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Crusciol CAC, Almeida DS, Alves CJ et al (2019) Mitigation of ammonia volatilisation from urea with micronised sulfur applied to common bean. Soil Res 57:357–364. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR18232

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Domingues RR, Trugilho PF, Silva CA et al (2017) Properties of biochar derived from wood and high-nutrient biomasses with the aim of agronomic and environmental benefits. PLoS One 12:e0176884

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • El-Sharkawy M, El-Naggar AH, AL-Huqail AA, Ghoneim AM (2022) Acid-modified biochar impacts on soil properties and biochemical characteristics of crops grown in saline-sodic soils. Sustainability 14:8190

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Emadi MH, Meeting C, Saline ON, Rome FAO (2018) Management of salinity in agriculture; Iranian Experience. In: Consultation meeting on saline agriculture

  • Flayyih TM, Almarie AA (2017) Allelopathic effect of sunflower residues on some soil properties and growth parameters of wheat, bean and flax crops. Revis Bionat a 2022 7(4):38

  • Fu Q, Zhao H, Li TX et al (2019) Effects of biochar addition on soil hydraulic properties before and after freezing-thawing. Catena 176:112–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2019.01.008

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ghoularata M, Raeisi F, Nadian HE (2008) Salinity and phosphorus interactions on growth, yield and nutrient uptake by berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.). Iranian Journal of Field Crop Research 6:117–124. https://doi.org/10.22067/GSC.V6I1.1182

  • Glaser B, Lehmann J, Zech W (2002) Ameliorating physical and chemical properties of highly weathered soils in the tropics with charcoal–a review. Biol Fertil soils 35:219–230

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gluba Ł, Rafalska-Przysucha A, Szewczak K et al (2021) Effect of fine size-fractionated sunflower husk biochar on water retention properties of arable sandy soil. Mater (Basel) 14:1335

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goswami R, Shim J, Deka S et al (2016) Characterization of cadmium removal from aqueous solution by biochar produced from Ipomoea fistulosa at different pyrolytic temperatures. Ecol Eng 97:444–451

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grafe M, Kurth JK, Panten K et al (2021) Effects of different innovative bone char based P fertilizers on bacteria catalyzing P turnover in agricultural soils. Agric Ecosyst Environ 314:107419

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta V, Germida JJ (1988) Distribution of microbial biomass and its activity in different soil aggregate size classes as affected by cultivation. Soil Biol Biochem 20:777–786

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hafeez A, Pan T, Tian J, Cai K (2022) Modified biochars and their effects on soil quality: a review. Environments 9:60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanway JJ, Heidel H (1952) Soil analysis methods as used in Iowa state college soil testing laboratory. Iowa Agric 57:1–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassani A, Azapagic A, Shokri N (2021) Global predictions of primary soil salinization under changing climate in the 21st century. Nat Commun 12:1–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herbert BE, Bertsch PM (1995) Characterization of dissolved and colloidal organic matter in soil solution: a review. In: Carbon forms and functions in forest soils. Soil Sci Society Am 1995:63–88

  • Hoffmann G, Teicher K (1961) Ein kolorimetrisches Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Ureaseaktivität in Böden. Zeitschrift für Pflanzenernährung, Düngung. Bodenkd 95:55–63. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.19610950107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang Z, Liu Y, Tian F-P, Wu G-L (2020) Soil water availability threshold indicator was determined by using plant physiological responses under drought conditions. Ecol Indic 118:106740

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson ML (1973) Soil chemical analysis, Pentice Hall of India Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi, India 498:151–154

  • Janu R, Mrlik V, Ribitsch D et al (2021) Biochar surface functional groups as affected by biomass feedstock, biochar composition and pyrolysis temperature. Carbon Resour Convers 4:36–46

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jenkinson DS (1976) The effects of biocidal treatments on metabolism in soil-IV. The decomposition of fumigated organisms in soil. Soil Biol Biochem 8:203–208. https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-0717(76)90004-3

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khadem A, Raiesi F (2017) Influence of biochar on potential enzyme activities in two calcareous soils of contrasting texture. Geoderma 308:149–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2017.08.004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koch BP, Ksionzek KB, Lechtenfeld OJ et al (2017) Response to comment on “dissolved organic sulfur in the ocean: Biogeochemistry of a petagram inventory. Science. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aam6328

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kumawat C, Kumar A, Parshad J et al (2022) Microbial diversity and adaptation under salt-affected soils: a review. Sustainability 14:9280

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lehmann J, Rillig MC, Thies J et al (2011) Biochar effects on soil biota - A review. Soil Biol Biochem 43:1812–1836. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2011.04.022

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu H, Xu F, Xie Y et al (2018) Effect of modified coconut shell biochar on availability of heavy metals and biochemical characteristics of soil in multiple heavy metals contaminated soil. Sci Total Environ 645:702–709

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liu C, Wang W, Wu R et al (2020) Preparation of acid-and alkali-modified biochar for removal of methylene blue pigment. ACS Omega 5:30906–30922

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mahmoud ME, Nabil GM, El-Mallah NM et al (2016) Kinetics, isotherm, and thermodynamic studies of the adsorption of reactive red 195 a dye from water by modified Switchgrass Biochar adsorbent. J Ind Eng Chem 37:156–167

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marechal V, Rigal L (1999) Characterization of by-products of sunflower culture–commercial applications for stalks and heads. Ind Crops Prod 10:185–200

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maynard DG, Germida JJ, Addison PA (1986) The effect of elemental sulfur on certain chemical and biological properties of surface organic horizons of a forest soil. Can J For Res 16:1050–1054

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mousavi SS, Karami A, Saharkhiz MJ et al (2022) Evaluation of metabolites in iranian licorice accessions under salinity stress and Azotobacter sp. inoculation. Sci Rep 12:1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen TH, Pham TH, Nguyen Thi HT et al (2019) Synthesis of iron-modified biochar derived from rice straw and its application to arsenic removal. J Chem 2019:5295610

  • Novák V, Hlaváčiková H, Novák V, Hlaváčiková H (2019) Soil-water content and its measurement. Appl Soil Hydrol 32:49–61

  • Øien A, Selmer-Olsen AR (1980) A laboratory method for evaluation of available nitrogen in soil. Acta Agric Scand 30:149–156. https://doi.org/10.1080/00015128009435259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olsen SR (1954) Estimation of available phosphorus in soils by extraction with sodium bicarbonate. US Department of Agriculture 939:1–22

  • Palansooriya KN, Wong JTF, Hashimoto Y et al (2019) Response of microbial communities to biochar-amended soils: a critical review. Biochar 1:3–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-019-00009-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paul NM, Harikumar VS (2022) Pyrolytic transformation of indigenous biomass wastes into biochar: an insight into char structure and physicochemical characteristics. J Agric Rural Dev Trop Subtrop 123:161–173

  • Pejic BM, Kostic MM, Skundric PD, Praskalo JZ (2008) The effects of hemicelluloses and lignin removal on water uptake behavior of hemp fibers. Bioresour Technol 99:7152–7159

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pituya P, Sriburi T, Wijitkosum S (2017) Properties of biochar prepared from acacia wood and coconut shell for soil amendment. Eng J 21:63–75

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qi M (2017) Sunflower stalk pith fibre: investigation on oil holding capacity, oil-fibre interaction, and related application in food 104:8–17

  • Quan F, Korneluk RG, Tropak MB, Gravel RA (1986) Isolation and characterization of the human catalase gene. Nucleic Acids Res 14:5321–5335

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rezaei H, Saadat S, Mirkhani R et al (2020) The state of soil organic carbon in agricultural lands of Iran with different agroecological conditions. Int J Environ Anal Chem 16:1–17

  • Richards LA, Bower CA, Fireman M (1956) Tests for salinity and sodium status of soil and irrigation water. US Department of Agriculture 982:1–30

  • Rutigliano FA, Romano M, Marzaioli R et al (2014) Effect of biochar addition on soil microbial community in a wheat crop. Eur J Soil Biol 60:9–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejsobi.2013.10.007

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Safdar H, Amin A, Shafiq Y et al (2019) A review: impact of salinity on plant growth. Nat Sci 17:34–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Sahin O, Taskin MB, Kaya EC et al (2017) Effect of acid modification of biochar on nutrient availability and maize growth in a calcareous soil. Soil Use Manag 33:447–456

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shinogi Y, Kanri Y (2003) Pyrolysis of plant, animal and human waste: physical and chemical characterization of the pyrolytic products. Bioresour Technol 90:241–247. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-8524(03)00147-0

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Singh B, Camps-Arbestain M, Lehmann J (2017) Biochar: a guide to analytical methods. Csiro Publishing, Clayton

  • Sritongon N, Sarin P, Theerakulpisut P, Riddech N (2022) The effect of salinity on soil chemical characteristics, enzyme activity and bacterial community composition in rice rhizospheres in northeastern Thailand. Sci Rep 12:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Streubel JD, Collins HP, Garcia-Perez M et al (2011) Influence of biochar on soil pH, water holding capacity, nitrogen and carbon dynamics. Soil Sci Soc Am J 75:1402–1413

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stroo HF, Alexander M (1986) Role of soil organic matter in the effect of acid rain on nitrogen mineralization. Soil Sci Soc Am J 50:1218–1223. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1986.03615995005000050026x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Subbaiah BV (1956) A rapid procedure for estimation of available nitrogen in soil. Curr Sci 25:259–260

    Google Scholar 

  • Tabatabai MA, Bremner JM (1969) Use of p-nitrophenyl phosphate for assay of soil phosphatase activity. Soil Biol Biochem 1:301–307. https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-0717(69)90012-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Taheri M, al-R, Astaraei AR, Lakzian A, Emami H (2022) Sorbitol and biochar have key roles in microbial and enzymatic activity of saline-sodic and calcareous soil in millet cropping. Rhizosphere 24:100598

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walkley A, Black IA (1934) An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter, and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Sci 37:29–38

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang W, Page-Dumroese D, Lv R et al (2016) Soil enzyme activities in Pinus tabuliformis (Carriére) plantations in northern China. Forests 7:1–12. https://doi.org/10.3390/f7060112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang L, Ok YS, Tsang DCW et al (2020) New trends in biochar pyrolysis and modification strategies: feedstock, pyrolysis conditions, sustainability concerns and implications for soil amendment. Soil Use Manag 36:358–386

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wichern F, Islam MR, Hemkemeyer M et al (2020) Organic amendments alleviate salinity effects on soil microorganisms and mineralisation processes in aerobic and anaerobic paddy rice soils. Front Sustain Food Syst 4:30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao L, Meng F (2020) Evaluating the effect of biochar on salt leaching and nutrient retention of Yellow River Delta soil. Soil Use Manag 36:740–750

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang A, Akhtar SS, Li L et al (2020) Biochar mitigates combined effects of drought and salinity stress in Quinoa. Agronomy 10. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10060912

  • Yu O-Y, Raichle B, Sink S (2013) Impact of biochar on the water holding capacity of loamy sand soil. Int J Energy Environ Eng 4:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zandi P, Schnug E (2022) Reactive oxygen species, antioxidant responses and implications from a microbial modulation perspective. Biology (Basel) 11:155

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang H, Voroney RP, Price GW, White AJ (2016) Sulfur-enriched biochar as a potential soil amendment and fertiliser. Soil Res 55:93–99

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao Y, Xiao X, Bi D, Hu F (2008) Effects of sulfur fertilization on soybean root and leaf traits, and soil microbial activity. J Plant Nutr 31:473–483. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904160801895001

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu X, Chen B, Zhu L, Xing B (2017) Effects and mechanisms of biochar-microbe interactions in soil improvement and pollution remediation: a review. Environ Pollut 227:98–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.04.032

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran for funding this research (Project No: 56532).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, 91779-48944, Mashhad, Iran

    Musa al-Reza Taheri, Ali Reza Astaraei, Amir Lakzian & Hojat Emami

Authors
  1. Musa al-Reza Taheri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ali Reza Astaraei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Amir Lakzian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Hojat Emami
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ali Reza Astaraei.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Kadambot Hamsa Mohamed Siddique.

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Taheri, M.aR., Astaraei, A.R., Lakzian, A. et al. The role of biochar and sulfur-modified biochar on soil water content, biochemical properties and millet crop under saline-sodic and calcareous soil. Plant Soil (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-023-05912-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-023-05912-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation