Synergistic effects of biochar and biostimulants on soil quality and Triticum aestivum L. productivity

Abstract The necessity for sustainable soil management arose due to soil degradation caused by intense agricultural soil cultivation, which employs chemical fertilizers to increase production. Soil degradation can be remedied by many methods, such as using biochar and organic amendments together. We investigated the combined application of biochar and two distinct biostimulants in varied doses, hypothesizing that synergy between biochar and biostimulants increases wheat productivity and soil quality. In a greenhouse, three doses of two distinct biostimulant types, both with and without biochar, sole biochar, and control, were examined using a completely randomized design. The results revealed that combining biochar with either of the biostimulants at a 10% dose improved wheat grain yield (ekofertile® -4.933 and microfertile® -4.904 g pot− 1) significantly (p < 0.05). The soil quality index was significantly highest in the combination of biochar and ekofertile® (at 10% and 15% dose) (p < 0.05). Compared to the sole biochar, the grain yield of the wheat increased by 51.62% in the combination of biochar and ekofertile® at 10% dose. And, the soil quality index (SQI) increased by 166.93% in the combination treatment of biochar and ekofertile® at 10% when compared to the control. Also, a strong positive correlation was noticed between grain yield and SQI (r = 0.85, p < 0.05). Organic matter/ organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, and aggregate stability that played crucial roles in improving the soil quality were significantly higher in combination treatments and increased by 58.97%, 54.12%, and 158.55% respectively in the combination of biochar and ekofertile® at 10% dose. Using biochar and biostimulants together can boost wheat productivity and improve soil quality. Thus leading towards sustainable agriculture.