Abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity remain among the formidable challenges to global crop productivity, threatening food security under a changing climate. This study investigated the biochar weathering and biochar role in mitigating abiotic stresses in tomato. Scanning electron microscopy and elemental analysis of biochar after six months of soil incorporation revealed changes in its structure and composition. Pot experiment showed that 5% (v/v) biochar application mitigated biomass loss, limiting biomass reduction to 35% under drought (compared to 50% reduction in the no biochar control). Under salinity stress, plants grown with 5% biochar amendments showed 13% more biomass as compared to no biochar control. Moderate biochar application (5%) consistently outperformed to higher rate (10%) in promoting growth and stress tolerance.
Muhammad et al. (Fri,) studied this question.