Abstract
Purpose Water scarcity and soil salinity are among the major factors responsible for lower plant growth and production. Many studies have reported beneficial effects of biochar application in mitigating salt and drought stress in soil. This study was conducted to investigate the efficiency of poultry manure-derived biochar (BC) and silica modified BC (SBC) to mitigate the waning effects of soil salinity and water scarcity on safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) plant growth. Materials and methods A pot experiment was conducted in greenhouse with soil collected from local agricultural farm. Amendments were added to soil at three rates: 0%, 1%, and 3% (w/w), and three levels of salinity (0, 50, and 100 mM) were applied, while in a separate pot experiment, plants were irrigated at 2-level water contents, i.e., 50% and 100% of field capacity (FC). Results and discussion Plants grown in soil with BC and SBC showed comparatively higher growth against control treatment with no added amendments. Soil receiving SBC displayed an increase in pH value by 0.07-0.47, lower electrical conductivity value (0.86-1.17 dS m(-1)), and higher uptake of P (878.57 to 1753.58 mu g plant(-1)). Furthermore, higher K+ and lower Na+ availability and plant uptake were found in SBC-amended soil compared with control. Overall, 3% SBC application performed outclass in improving plant growth under 50% FC. Conclusion In nutshell, BC and SBC displayed substantial potential in reducing soil salinity and drought stress and improved nutrient availability and plant uptake.