Influence of rice straw biochar addition on soil traits and nutrient uptake of Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) grown in Mercury-contaminated soils

Abstract

The present pot experiment was therefore conducted to investigate the effect of biochar application on the selected properties of mercury polluted soils and uptake of Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) grown in polluted soils.Biochar obtained from rice straw was added at various rates (0, 5, 10 t/ha) on the soil artificially contaminated with mercury at a different concentration (0, 10, 20 ppm). The research indicated a significant (P < 0.01) improvement in electrical conductivity, pH, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, exchangeable bases, cation exchange capacity and organic carbon owing to biochar addition.Additionally, uptake of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen by Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) was significantly enhanced by biochar application. A significant decrease in uptake of mercury owing to biochar application was also noticed in heavily mercury-contaminated soil (20 ppm). Hence, biochar application is mostvital to improve soil quality and fertility, improve nutrients uptake, amend Hg contaminated soil and decrease the quantity of carbon formedowing to the biomassburning.