Growth Response of Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Its Physiological Properties and Soil Enzyme Activities after Biochar Application under Greenhouse Conditions

• Published in: Horticulturae Vol. 7; no. 8; p. 250
• Main Authors: Jabborova, Dilfuza, Wirth, Stephan, Halwani, Mosab, Ibrahim, Mohamed F. M., Azab, Islam H. El, El-Mogy, Mohamed M., Elkelish, Amr
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.08.2021
• Subjects: Aquatic plants; Area; biochar; Biomass; Carbon; Carotenoids; Charcoal; Chlorophyll; chlorophyll content; Enzymatic activity; Enzymes; Fluorescein; Fluorescein diacetate; Germination; Ginger; Ginger (Zingiber officinale); Greenhouses; Hydrolase; Leaves; Moisture content; Morphology; Nutrients; Phenoloxidase; Physical characteristics; Physiology; Plant growth; Plants; Rhizomes; root morphological traits; Seed germination; Seeds; Software; soil enzymes; Soil improvement; Soil properties; Soils; Water content; Zingiber officinale; Germany
• ISSN: 2311-7524; 2311-7524
• DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae7080250

This study aimed to investigate the effects of biochar (1%, 2%, and 3%) on seed germination, plant growth, root morphological characteristics, and physiological properties of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and soil enzymatic activities. Pot experiments under greenhouse conditions at 24 °C (day) and 16 °C (night) showed after six weeks that biochar additions of 2% and 3% significantly increased seed germination, plant height, leaf length, leaf number, as well as shoot and root dry weights compared to the control. Total root length significantly increased by 30%, 47%, and 74%, with increasing biochar contents (1%, 2%, and 3%) compared to the control. Root surface area, projected area, root diameter, and root volume reached a maximum at the 3% biochar treatment. The treatment with 2% biochar significantly increased fluorescein diacetate hydrolase and phenoloxidase activities by 33% and 59% compared to the control; so did the addition of 3% biochar, which significantly increased fluorescein diacetate hydrolases, phenoloxidase, and acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterase activity in soil compared to the control. Treatment with 3% biochar increased relative water content by 8%, chlorophyll content by 35%, and carotenoid content by 43% compared to the control. These results suggest that biochar can improve the performance of the rhizome of ginger and increase the activity of soil enzymes, thereby improving soil nutrient supply.