Insight into the Amelioration Effect of Nitric Acid-Modified Biochar on Saline Soil Physicochemical Properties and Plant Growth

Soil salinization is a major factor threatening global food security. Soil improvement strategies are therefore of great importance in mitigating the adverse effect of salt stress. Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of biochar (BC) and nitric acid-modified biochar (HBC) (1%, 2%, and 3%; m/m) on...

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Main Authors: Lei Yan, Guang Gao, Mu Lu, Muhammad Riaz, Mengyang Zhang, Kaiqing Tong, Hualong Yu, Yu Yang, Wenjing Hao, Yusheng Niu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/23/3434
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author Lei Yan
Guang Gao
Mu Lu
Muhammad Riaz
Mengyang Zhang
Kaiqing Tong
Hualong Yu
Yu Yang
Wenjing Hao
Yusheng Niu
author_facet Lei Yan
Guang Gao
Mu Lu
Muhammad Riaz
Mengyang Zhang
Kaiqing Tong
Hualong Yu
Yu Yang
Wenjing Hao
Yusheng Niu
author_sort Lei Yan
collection DOAJ
description Soil salinization is a major factor threatening global food security. Soil improvement strategies are therefore of great importance in mitigating the adverse effect of salt stress. Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of biochar (BC) and nitric acid-modified biochar (HBC) (1%, 2%, and 3%; m/m) on the properties of salinized soils and the morphological and physiological characteristics of pakchoi. Compared with BC, HBC exhibited a lower pH and released more alkaline elements, reflected in reduced contents of K<sup>+</sup>, Ca<sup>2+</sup>, and Mg<sup>2+</sup>, while its hydrophilicity and polarity increased. Additionally, the microporous structure of HBC was altered, showing a rougher surface, larger pore size, pore volume, specific surface area, and carboxyl and aliphatic carbon content, along with lower aromatic carbon content and crystallinity. Moreover, HBC application abated the pH of saline soil. Both BC and HBC treatments decreased the sodium absorption rate (SAR) of saline soil as their concentration increased. Conversely, both types of biochar enhanced the cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic matter, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, and available phosphorus and potassium content in saline soils, with HBC demonstrating a more potent improvement effect. Furthermore, biochar application promoted the growth-related parameters in pakchoi, and reduced proline and Na<sup>+</sup> content, whilst increasing leaf K<sup>+</sup> content under salt stress. Biochar also enhanced the activity of key antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT)) in leaves, and reduced hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Collectively, modified biochar can enhance soil quality and promote plant growth in saline soils.
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spelling doaj-art-add3e7bfeddc44faaacb062e516017842025-08-20T01:55:37ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472024-12-011323343410.3390/plants13233434Insight into the Amelioration Effect of Nitric Acid-Modified Biochar on Saline Soil Physicochemical Properties and Plant GrowthLei Yan0Guang Gao1Mu Lu2Muhammad Riaz3Mengyang Zhang4Kaiqing Tong5Hualong Yu6Yu Yang7Wenjing Hao8Yusheng Niu9Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, ChinaInstitute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, ChinaInstitute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, ChinaCollege of Resources and Environment, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, ChinaCollege of Resources and Environment, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, ChinaInstitute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, ChinaInstitute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, ChinaInstitute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, ChinaInstitute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, ChinaInstitute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, ChinaSoil salinization is a major factor threatening global food security. Soil improvement strategies are therefore of great importance in mitigating the adverse effect of salt stress. Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of biochar (BC) and nitric acid-modified biochar (HBC) (1%, 2%, and 3%; m/m) on the properties of salinized soils and the morphological and physiological characteristics of pakchoi. Compared with BC, HBC exhibited a lower pH and released more alkaline elements, reflected in reduced contents of K<sup>+</sup>, Ca<sup>2+</sup>, and Mg<sup>2+</sup>, while its hydrophilicity and polarity increased. Additionally, the microporous structure of HBC was altered, showing a rougher surface, larger pore size, pore volume, specific surface area, and carboxyl and aliphatic carbon content, along with lower aromatic carbon content and crystallinity. Moreover, HBC application abated the pH of saline soil. Both BC and HBC treatments decreased the sodium absorption rate (SAR) of saline soil as their concentration increased. Conversely, both types of biochar enhanced the cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic matter, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, and available phosphorus and potassium content in saline soils, with HBC demonstrating a more potent improvement effect. Furthermore, biochar application promoted the growth-related parameters in pakchoi, and reduced proline and Na<sup>+</sup> content, whilst increasing leaf K<sup>+</sup> content under salt stress. Biochar also enhanced the activity of key antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT)) in leaves, and reduced hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Collectively, modified biochar can enhance soil quality and promote plant growth in saline soils.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/23/3434salinized soilbiochar modificationcharacterizationsoil fertilityoxidative damagepakchoi
spellingShingle Lei Yan
Guang Gao
Mu Lu
Muhammad Riaz
Mengyang Zhang
Kaiqing Tong
Hualong Yu
Yu Yang
Wenjing Hao
Yusheng Niu
Insight into the Amelioration Effect of Nitric Acid-Modified Biochar on Saline Soil Physicochemical Properties and Plant Growth
Plants
salinized soil
biochar modification
characterization
soil fertility
oxidative damage
pakchoi
title Insight into the Amelioration Effect of Nitric Acid-Modified Biochar on Saline Soil Physicochemical Properties and Plant Growth
title_full Insight into the Amelioration Effect of Nitric Acid-Modified Biochar on Saline Soil Physicochemical Properties and Plant Growth
title_fullStr Insight into the Amelioration Effect of Nitric Acid-Modified Biochar on Saline Soil Physicochemical Properties and Plant Growth
title_full_unstemmed Insight into the Amelioration Effect of Nitric Acid-Modified Biochar on Saline Soil Physicochemical Properties and Plant Growth
title_short Insight into the Amelioration Effect of Nitric Acid-Modified Biochar on Saline Soil Physicochemical Properties and Plant Growth
title_sort insight into the amelioration effect of nitric acid modified biochar on saline soil physicochemical properties and plant growth
topic salinized soil
biochar modification
characterization
soil fertility
oxidative damage
pakchoi
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/23/3434
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