Impacts of biochar on basil (Ocimum basilicum) growth, root morphological traits, plant biochemical and physiological properties and soil enzymatic activities

Abstract

Impacts of biochar on growth, root morphological traits, plant physiological properties of basil (Ocimum basilicum) were studied in connection with an assessment of soil enzymatic activities. We hypothesised that the growth of basil is enhanced by an increase in root morphological traits, improved plant biochemical and physiological properties as well as by increased soil enzymatic activities after biochar application. Different concentrations of biochar derived from black cherry wood (1, 2 and 3%) were applied in pot experiments under greenhouse conditions at for 35 days. The results showed that biochar concentrations of 2% and 3% significantly increased plant height by 38% and 48%, leaf length by 15 and 24%, leaf number by 15% and 27% and leaf width by 36% and 50%, respectively, as compared with the control. The chlorophyll content, total sugar, flavonoids and soil enzymes activities were enhanced significantly with 2 and 3% biochar treatments. The total root length significantly increased by 30%, 46% and 61% with increasing levels of biochar, (1%, 2% and 3%), respectively. The biochar treatment of 3% significantly increased root surface area by 47%, root diameter by 37% and root volume by 45% over the control. The results showed that biochar improved plant morphological and physiological properties as well asactivities of soil enzymes, and thus finally promoted the growth and yield of basil and soil fertility.