Low-cost and environmental-friendly Triticum aestivum-derived biochar for improving plant growth and soil fertility

ABSTRACTBiochar and biochar–fertilizer concoction is imperative to subjugate reduced plant growth and soil fertility depletion which is a constraint for sustainable agriculture. The aspiration of the current research was to determine the plant growth response to wheat straw-derived biochar annexation in soils from two regions: Rawalpindi (semi-arid) and Thar (arid). Wheat straw (Triticum aestivum) was pyrolyzed at 300°C in a low-cost biochar retort kiln at different concentration rates (0%, 1%, 3%, and 7% by mass). Growth trend of Sorghum bicolor was observed in these soils for 40 days in a greenhouse. Fertilizer (NPK) (8.58% N, 4.39% P, and 3.48% K) was added to soil on the third day of seed germination. Soil physicochemical analysis, plant growth, and dry matter yield evaluation after the treatment signified the concomitant increase in dry matter yield along with enhanced soil fertility and plant growth.