Review: Performance of Biochar under Diminish Water Stress in Plants
Abubaker B. Ali, Nazar A. Elshaikh
Abstract
Drought stress adversely affects soil and plant characteristics. The addition of biochar alleviates the adverse impact of drought stress on plants. The plants’ morphological, physiological performance and nutrient uptake are highly enhanced after biochar addition (BA) under drought-stress conditions. Biochar improves the water retention and the physical and biological properties of soils. Uptake of sodium (Na+) ions decreased in biochar-amended soil, which leads to makes other cations such as potassium (K+) uptake by plants. Biochar is characterized by high surface area (SA), cation exchange capacity (CEC), high water-holding capacity (WHC), size pore (PS). Those aforementioned properties are subjected to pyrolysis temperature and feedstock of biochar. Studies of biochar suggest that it might progress fertility of soil and maximize crop yields when iapplied to soil with a suitable application rates. This review highlights the capability of biochar in addressing drought stress on plants and its future prospect.