Effect of biochar and Trichoderma application on fungal diversity and growth of Zea mays in a sandy loam soil
Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: Application of biochar (BC) to agricultural soils has raised global interest.BC could serve as a carrier for immobilization of beneficial microorganisms.Effect of straw-derived BC (50 t ha -1 ) with and without immobilized Trichoderma viride on the growth of maize in a sandy loam soil in Zemgale region (Latvia) was studied in a 128-day mini-field trial.Four treatment types were compared, i.e., without amendments [C], biochar [BC], biochar with T. viride [BCT], and T. viride [T].The highest amount of Trichoderma spp.DNA was detected by qPCR in [BCT].The obtained results demonstrated high heterogenity of soil samples.Addition of straw-derived BC with immobilized T. viride to sandy loam soil promoted survival of Trichoderma spp.and significantly (p < 0.05) increased maize growth.The highest germination index, i.e., 87.5%, after 14 days was observed in the [BCT] treatment.These results provide new methods for the optimization of cultivation conditions for maize in Northern latitudes.
DOI: 10.22364/eeb.15.30
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDGs: Zero hunger, Life on land
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4248916558