Biochar enhances seed germination and crop early growth for sustainable agriculture in Bangladesh

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0320005
• Publication Date: 2025-03-18T17:43:07Z
• Authors: Md Rezaul Karim; Sonchita Biswas; Md Abdul Halim; Romel Ahmed

Biochar (BC) application to low-fertility soils enhances crop yield, soil quality, and sustainable agricultural production. Although many studies have explored the effects of biochar on tropical crops, research specific Bangladesh is limited. Given agrarian system in Bangladesh, dense population, vulnerability climate change, adopting practices essential. This study evaluates impact different dosages germination early growth five major crops Oryza sativa (rice), Triticum aestivum (wheat), Capsicum annuum (chili), Solanum melongena (eggplant), lycopersicum (tomato) using Acacia auriculiformis wood-waste biochar. The was conducted a randomized complete block design (RCBD) nursery setting. treatments 10 t/ha 15 were applied, with assessments made (%), rate (after 7 days), shoot height (cm), root leaf number, root-shoot dry weight ratio. results indicated significant (p < 0.001) increase (%) higher rates. linear mixed-effects model showed effect treatment (F = 57.33, p interaction type 15.84, 0.001). In C. , resulted 96% compared control (43.3 ± 1.08% vs 85.1 2.15%). Similarly, O. significantly (84.5 1.52%) (91.8 1.49%) (59.3 2.38%). 0.05) influenced rates days) parameters (e.g., length, count, ratio), showing substantial improvements for while no observed S. . These findings underscore potential A. enhancing economically important highlighting its role promoting agriculture Bangladesh.