title: Effect of biochar on reclaimed tidal land soil properties and maize (Zea mays L.) response.
abstract: Reclaimed tidal land soil (RTLS) often contains high levels of soluble salts and exchangeable Na that can adversely affect plant growth. The current study examined the effect of biochar on the physicochemical properties of RTLS and subsequently the influence on plant growth performance. Rice hull derived biochar (BC) was applied to RTLS at three different rates (1%, 2%, and 5% (w/w)) and maize (Zea mays L.) subsequently cultivated for 6weeks. While maize was cultivated, 0.1% NaCl solution was supplied from the bottom of the pots to simulate the natural RTLS conditions. Biochar induced changes in soil properties were evaluated by the water stable aggregate (WSA) percentage, exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), soil organic carbon contents, cation exchange capacity, and exchangeable cations. Plant response was measured by growth rate, nutrient contents, and antioxidant enzyme activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR). Application of rice hull derived biochar increased the soil organic carbon content and the percentage of WSA by 36-69%, while decreasing the ESP. The highest dry weight maize yield was observed from soil which received 5% BC (w/w), which was attributed to increased stability of water-stable aggregates and elevated levels of phosphate in BC incorporated soils. Moreover, increased potassium, sourced from the BC, induced mitigation of Na uptake by maize and consequently, reduced the impact of salt stress as evidenced by overall declines in the antioxidant activities of APX and GR.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Safety Division, Department of Agro-Food Safety, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Wanju 565-851, Republic of Korea; Department of Ecology, Soil Conservation, Technische Universität Berlin, Ernst-Reuter-Platz 1, 10587 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Hyuck-Soo
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Agronomy & Medicinal Plant Resources, Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology, Jinju 660-758, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kwon-Rae
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Korea Biochar Research Center & Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 200-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Korea Biochar Research Center & Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 200-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Sik
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Ok
authors.affiliation: Environmental Contaminants Group, Mawson Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Owens
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology, Soil Conservation, Technische Universität Berlin, Ernst-Reuter-Platz 1, 10587 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nehls
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology, Soil Conservation, Technische Universität Berlin, Ernst-Reuter-Platz 1, 10587 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wessolek
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of Seoul, Seoul 130-743, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: johnkim@uos.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Kye-Hoon
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D002606:Charcoal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D012275:Oryza / Q000737:chemistry; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D003313:Zea mays / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; C540010:biochar; D014867:Water; D002606:Charcoal; D012964:Sodium
keywords: Biochar; Exchangeable sodium percentage; Reclaimed tidal land soil; Salt stress; Water stable aggregate