Biochar induced improvement in root system architecture enhances nutrient assimilation by cotton plant seedlings.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Raising nitrogen use efficiency of crops by improving root system architecture is highly essential not only to reduce costs of agricultural production but also to mitigate climate change. The physiological mechanisms of how biochar affects nitrogen assimilation by crop seedlings have not been well elucidated.

Results

Here, we report changes in root system architecture, activities of the key enzymes involved in nitrogen assimilation, and cytokinin (CTK) at the seedling stage of cotton with reduced urea usage and biochar application at different soil layers (0-10 cm and 10-20 cm). Active root absorption area, fresh weight, and nitrogen agronomic efficiency increased significantly when urea usage was reduced by 25% and biochar was applied in the surface soil layer. G

SUBMITTER: Feng L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8194105 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature