Enhancing soil resilience and crop physiology with biochar application for mitigating drought stress in durum wheat (Triticumdurum)

Abstract

The use of biochar has recently garnered significant attention as an agricultural management technique highly endorsed by the scientific community. Biochar, owing to its high carbon content, contributes to increased organic matter storage in the soil, consequently enhancing crop growth. This study aimed to elucidate changes in physicochemical soil fertility and durum wheat (Triticum durum) var. Vitron production under the influence of three biochar doses (0 g/kg, 5 g/kg, and 15 g/kg of soil) in combination with varying levels of drought stress (100 %, 80 %, 40 %, and 20 % of field capacity 'FC'). Notably, we observed a substantial increase in all physicochemical soil parameters, except for active calcium carbonate equivalent (ACCE), which displayed lower values (8.78 ± 1.43 %) in soils treated with biochar compared to control soil (15.69 ± 4.03 %). The biochar dose of 5 g/kg yielded the highest moisture content (8.81 %) and pH value (7.83). However, the highest organic matter content (4.89 ± 0.17 %) and total calcium carbonate equivalent ‘TCCE’ (3.67 ± 0.48 %) were observed with the dose 15 g/kg. Nevertheless, regarding plant growth, no improvements were observed in terms of height and above-ground biomass (AGB). Conversely, leaf surface area exhibited significant changes with biochar application, along with an increase in chlorophyll pigment content. On the other hand, drought stress significantly hindered plant height, AGB, and leaf water reserves, resulting in values of 13.48 ± 1.60 cm, 1.57 ± 0.31g/plant, and 41.79 ± 1.67 %, respectively. The interaction between biochar and water stress appeared to mitigate and limit the impact of stress. Notably, an enhancement in organic matter storage and soil water reserves was observed. For example, the moisture content in the control soil was 6.95 %, while it increased to 12.76 % for 15g biochar/kg and 80 % FC. A similar trend was observed for organic matter, TCCE, and electrical conductivity. This effect positively influenced chlorophyll a and b content, as well as leaf water content. However, when stress was combined with biochar amendment, plant height and AGB decreased. The addition of biochar improved soil fertility and physiological parameters of wheat plants. Nevertheless, when combined with water stress, especially in cases of reduced water reserves, productivity did not witness any significant improvements.