title: Enhanced growth of halophyte plants in biochar-amended coastal soil: roles of nutrient availability and rhizosphere microbial modulation.
abstract: Soil health is essential and irreplaceable for plant growth and global food production, which has been threatened by climate change and soil degradation. Degraded coastal soils are urgently required to reclaim using new sustainable technologies. Interest in applying biochar to improve soil health and promote crop yield has rapidly increased because of its multiple benefits. However, effects of biochar addition on the saline-sodic coastal soil health and halophyte growth were poorly understood. Response of two halophytes, Sesbania (Sesbania cannabina) and Seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya virginica), to the individual or co-application of biochar and inorganic fertilizer into a coastal soil was investigated using a 52 d pot experiment. The biochar alone or co-application stimulated the plant growth (germination, root development, and biomass), primarily attributed to the enhanced nutrient availability from the biochar-improved soil health. Additionally, the promoted microbial activities and bacterial community shift towards the beneficial taxa (e.g. Pseudomonas and Bacillus) in the rhizosphere also contributed to the enhanced plant growth and biomass. Our findings showed the promising significance because biochar added at an optimal level (≤5%) could be a feasible option to reclaim the degraded coastal soil, enhance plant growth and production, and increase soil health and food security.
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental Science and Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4311-5185
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental Science and Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China.
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental Science and Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, and School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China.
authors.forename: Zhenyu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental Science and Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental Science and Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China.
authors.forename: Yipeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental Science and Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China.
authors.forename: Hefang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental Science and Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China.
authors.forename: Xianxiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
authors.forename: Baoshan
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2028-1295
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Xing
mesh_terms: D001682:Biological Availability; D018533:Biomass; D002606:Charcoal; D002681:China; D005308:Fertilizers; D019660:Malvaceae / Q000254:growth & development; D059013:Microbial Consortia / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development; D058441:Rhizosphere; D055051:Salt-Tolerant Plants / Q000254:growth & development*; D049931:Sesbania / Q000254:growth & development; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012988:Soil Microbiology
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers; D012987:Soil; C540010:biochar; D002606:Charcoal; D010758:Phosphorus; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: climate change; food security; growth; plant nutrients; salinity