Effect of Biochar On Seed Germination, and Root Development On Four Different Plant Species (corn Zea mays, soybean Glycine max, alfalfa Medicago sativa, and wild sunflower Helianthus annuus).

The biochar source-processing combination provides a rich diversity of biochars to evaluate for soil amendment use and determines the persistence of biochar within the soil. The potential of biochar as a soil amendment is dependent on its physical and chemical properties. Biochar interacts with other soil components such as ions, organic matter, and clay. Biochar properties range from acidic to alkaline depending on source and manufacturing process. The challenge is to identify a biochar source and processing combination that will optimize its efficiency as a soil amendment and still allow utility of the biomass as a bioenergy production. Biochar application has been shown to improve soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. Application of biochar has been reported increase available water, build soil organic matter, enhance nutrient cycling, lower bulk density, act as a liming agent, and reduce transfer of pesticides and nutrients to surface and ground water. The benefits of biochar application depend on its affinity for plant essential nutrients and high persistence (slow microbial degradation and chemical oxidation). However biochar the interaction with seed germination and development is not clear. Biochar differ in its composition, such as pH, conductivity, organic chemical structure and inorganic residue. Biochar composition has a direct impact on the seed environment affecting germination rate and root growth. The objective of this project was to assess the effect of biochar on seed germination, and root development. The approach tested four different plant species (corn Zea mays, soybean Glycine max, alfalfa Medicago sativa, and wild sunflower Helianthus annuus) with the use of four different biochar types that varied in feedstock type and pyrolytic process (switchgrass, cornstover, and fast and slow pyrolysis). Each individual biochar was mixed with commercial silicate sand, in a rate of 4 g/kg. Preliminary result shows that there are not significant differences in seed germination respect to the biochar source, but there is a difference with respect to the pyrolytic biochar process.