Effect of biochar on arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation, growth, P nutrition and leaf gas exchange of wheat and clover influenced by different water regimes

摘要

Biochar (biomass-derived carbon) can influence arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation, plant growth, P nutrition and water relations but research is not conclusive. Therefore, a glasshouse experiment was conducted using wheat and clover with three waterregimes, two biochar rates (0, 6 t/ha) with a series of harvests. Mycorrhizal colonisation was altered by water regimes. Shoot and root dry weight increased in well-watered compared to water-stressed conditions. Root length and colonised root length increased in the biochar treatment for wheat, especially in the well-watered treatment. Leaf gas exchange was higher in the presence of biochar indicating increased water availability to plants growing in biochar treated soil.