THE EFFECT OF BIOCHAR ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF WHEAT PLANT UNDER DROUGHT CONDITIONS

Abstract

Implementation of adaptive measures to resilience agroecosystems to drought is one of the key tasks of green biotechnology to sustain crop yields. Recently, biochar soil amendment has emerged as a feasible win-win strategy to enhance crop productivity, especially under limited water availability, and to mitigate greenhouse gasses emission. This study aimed, therefore, to determine the effects of biochar soil application on the growth, development and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants grown under different water regimes. A completely randomized greenhouse pot trial was conducted using three levels of biochar addition (0, 2 and 5% BC) to a sandy soil under different water regimes [60%, 30% and 15% of the soil water holding capacity (WHC)]. Overall, growth-related parameters measured in this study were negatively influenced by drought, the effect that was more pronounced at 15% WHC. Drought stress decreased the total plant biomass by 65% and 72% at moderate and severe drought stress treatment, respectively, compared to well-watered controls. The number of tillers per plant was significantly reduced by 66% and 73%, and that of the leaves by 58% and 74% in plants grown at 30% and 15% WHC, respectively.