Improving soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) growth and soil health with Gyttja biochar: insights into plant biochemical attributes and soil chemical properties

Abstract Background Soil degradation and nutrient deficiencies often limit soybean productivity and soil health. Biochar has emerged as a sustainable soil amendment to improve crop growth and soil health. Gyttja biochar is an innovative soil amendment with high organic matter and balanced nutrient contents compared to conventional biochar. Nonetheless, the ability of gyttja biochar to improve soybean growth and soil health is poorly investigated. Therefore, this study investigated the role of gyttja biochar in improving soybean growth and soil chemical health. Methods A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted using soil amended with gyttja-derived biochar at four concentrations [0.0% (control),1.5%, 3.0%, and 4.5%] to infer their impacts on growth and biochemical attributes of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and soil chemical health. Growth parameters (plant height and biomass) and plant biochemical attributes (e.g., chlorophyll index, stomatal conductance, proline, malondialdehyde contents, and antioxidant enzyme activity) were analyzed. Post-harvest soil samples were analyzed for chemical properties including pH, electrical conductivity, and activities of catalase, urease, and dehydrogenase enzymes. Results Gyttja biochar significantly improved soybean growth and biochemical attributes compared to the control treatment. Growth traits were significantly increased (plant height by 20.9%, root length by 29.2%, and plant weight by 84.9%) with 4.5% concentration, and leaves showed greater chlorophyll index. Biochar-treated plants also exhibited increased antioxidant enzyme activities and lower oxidative stress indicators, reflecting improved plant health. Soil pH and electrical conductivity improved by 5.9% and 33.2%, respectively. Soil enzyme activities significantly increased, and urease activity nearly doubled compared to the control. Conclusion Gyttja-derived biochar significantly improved soybean growth, biochemical attributes, and soil chemical health. These results indicate that converting gyttja sediment into biochar could improve crop productivity and soil fertility, providing an environmentally friendly approach to enhance agroecosystem health. Future research should include long-term, multi-season field trials to validate these results under varied environmental conditions, assess economic feasibility, and evaluate the effects of gyttja biochar across diverse soil types and soybean genotypes.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

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