| Popis: |
To investigate the effect of palm leaf biochar on the element absorption and reduction of drought stress effects in melon plants, an experiment was conducted using a split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications in two successive years. The main plot contained three levels of drought stress (60%, 85%, and 100% water requirement) and the subplot contained four levels of biochar (0, 150, 300, and 450 g per plant). The results revealed that biochar application reduced the effect of drought stress and thus proline content in plants. Application of 300 g biochar per plant with 100% water requirement increased total chlorophyll by 131% compared to control. The treatment of 450 g biochar per plant with 100% water requirement increased chlorophyll a and b and leaf nitrogen (N), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and manganese (Mn) content by 169%, 127%, 58%, 65%, 44%, and 48%, respectively, compared to control. The treatment of 450 g biochar per plant increased phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) content of leaves by 20% and 31%, respectively, in comparison with control. The interaction of drought stress and biochar indicated that the treatment of 450 g biochar per plant with 60% of water requirement increased plant iron, zinc, and copper by 60%, 44%, and 66%, respectively, compared to the biochar-free treatment with 100% water requirement. Addition of 450 g biochar per plant and irrigation with 60% of water requirement increased soil N, P, and K by 150%, 13%, and 75%, respectively, compared to the biochar-free treatment with 100% water requirement. The results indicated that the use of biochar can be a successful strategy for improving water use efficiency and reducing drought stress in melon plants. |
