Phytolith-rich biochar increases cotton biomass and silicon-mineralomass in a highly weathered soil

摘要

Non-essential silicon (Si) is beneficial to plants. It increases the biomass of Si-accumulator plants by improving photosynthetic activity and alleviating stresses. Desilication, however, takes place because of natural soil weathering and removal of harvested biomass. Pyrolysis transforms Si-rich biomass into biochar that can be used to supply bioavailable Si.