Positive Effects of Biochar on Pepper Growth, Yield, and Root Distribution under Water Stress Conditions

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of corncob waste-derived biochar (locally produced via slow pyrolysis – 500°C) on improved pepper plant growth, yield, and root growth and distribution. Sandy soil collected from the surface layer (0 – 30 cm depth) was used in this study. The sand was mixed with soft parts of corncob biochar at rates of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2% (w/w). The mixture of each treatment was wetted to field capacity and incubated at room temperature (25±2 °C) for one month with rewetting every 7 days. The soil-biochar mixtures were underwent to physical and chemical analysis. The experimental design was carried out using a split-plot arrangement with randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replicates for pot experiment inside open greenhouse. Four irrigation deficit (40, 60, 80, and 100% of ET0) were assigned to the main factor. Biochar rates of 0.0, 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, and 2% (w/w) treatments were assigned to the submain factor. Two healthy seedlings, one month old, of green pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cv. Hybrid 103 was planted in each pot on September 15, 2020. The agronomy practices were applied as recommended. The obtained results showed that all green pepper growth of shoot and root parameters were significantly affected by the irrigation deficit and applied biochar. Increasin The biochar rate 2% obtained the highest pepper root growth parameters. The interaction between water deficits and biochar application rates have a highly significant effect on Pepper fruit nutrient contents, where the highest values were attained at 2% biochar application and 100% of ET0. Biochar addition on sandy soil showed improvement in growth, yield, and root distribution of green pepper plants grown under water sress. Through the enhancement of soil quality indices such organic matter, structure, water and nutrient holding capacity, and bioactivity. Therefore, the applied proper doses of good quality biochar combined with low inputs of mineral fertilizers can used as the one of the promising strategies for sustainability of sndy soil and maximize crop yied under drought condition.