Benefits of Biochar for Improving Ion Contents, Cell Membrane Permeability, Leaf Water Status and Yield of Rice Under Saline-Sodic Paddy Field Condition

Saline-sodic is one of the major conditions threatening crop production. Biochar application could alleviate the adverse impacts of saline-sodic stress in crops. But its effect on reducing Na+ uptake in rice under saline-sodic paddy field condition remains unknown. This study evaluated the effect of biochar on ion contents, cell membrane permeability, leaf water status and yield of rice in saline-sodic paddy soil using a field experiment. The soil was amended with biochar at zero-biochar (B0), 33.75 t ha(-1) (B1), 67.5 t ha(-1) (B2), and 101.25 t ha(-1) (B3), respectively. The results indicated that biochar addition significantly reduced Na+ concentration and Na+/K+ ratio, while it remarkably increased K+ concentration of rice plant. Furthermore, biochar application significantly decreased the leaf-relative electrical leakage and increased leaf water status, plant height, and chlorophyll content index. The rice biomass production and harvested yield were significantly increased. Therefore, biochar application to saline-sodic paddy soil has benefits to alleviate saline-sodic stress and increase rice yield in saline-sodic paddy soil.