Skip to content
Home▶ Journals▶ Indian Journal of Agroforestry▶Archive▶Vol. 27 No. 2 (2025)▶Influence of Biochar Amendment on Growth Attributes of…
Indian Journal of Agroforestry ›
Print ISSN 0972-0715 · Online ISSN 2456-6489
Submit your paper About the journal
Articles

Influence of Biochar Amendment on Growth Attributes of Sapindus Mukorossi : A Sustainable Approach for Agroforestry Development

, , , ,
Kamya Pandey — Department of Environmental Science, University School of Vocational Studies and Applied Sciences, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida 201 312, Uttar Pradesh
N P Melkania — Department of Environmental Science, University School of Vocational Studies and Applied Sciences, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida 201 312, Uttar Pradesh
A Arunachalam — ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi 284 004, Uttar Pradesh
Lalita Bisht — Department of Environmental Science, University School of Vocational Studies and Applied Sciences, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida 201 312, Uttar Pradesh
Shivangi Tripathi — Department of Environmental Science, University School of Vocational Studies and Applied Sciences, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida 201 312, Uttar Pradesh
Published 23 Oct 2026 Vol. 27 No. 2 (2025), pp. 64-71 ● Open access
❝ How to cite 🔗 https://doi.org/10.48165/ija.2025.27.02.08
Formats:Full text (HTML)JATS XMLPDF ● Open access
Download PDF

Abstract

This study explores influence of pre-sowing seed treatments and biochar application on the growth and vigour of Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn. seedlings. Various combinations of biochar (soil, sand, FYM, and biochar) were applied in different ratio, alongside pre-sowing treatments, to evaluate their possible impacts on seedling growth attributes, such as, height, collar diameter, root length, leaf area, fresh and dry weight, and vigour indices like root: shoot ratio, sturdiness quotient, and seedling vigour index (SVI). The results revealed significant variations in seedling growth and vigour among different treatments. Biochar, particularly when combined with sand, demonstrated positive effect on seedling growth, enhancing root and shoot development, leaf area, and overall seedling quality. The study suggests that biochar can play a crucial role in enhancing seedling establishment, particularly in nursery settings for S. mukorossi. The findings point the potential of biochar as a valuable substance for enhancing seedling quality in forestry, agroforestry and land restoration projects. Future research is recommended to assess the long-term effects of biochar on soil health, species-specific responses, and its economic feasibility for sustainable environmental management.

KeywordsBiocharSapindus mukorossiSeedling vigourPre-sowing treatments
  1. 1. Amirmoradi, S., & Feizi, H. (2017). Can mean germination time predict seed vigour of canola (Brassica napus L.) seed lots? Acta Agrobotanica, 70(4), 1729.
  2. 2. Atkinson, C. J., Fitzgerald, J. D., & Hipps, N. A. (2010). Potential mechanisms for achieving agricultural benefits from biochar application to temperate soils: A review. Plant and Soil, 337, 1–18.
  3. 3. Biederman, L. A., & Harpole, W. S. (2013). Biochar and its effects on plant productivity and nutrient cycling: A meta-analysis. GCB Bioenergy, 5(2), 202–214.
  4. 4. Binotto, A. F., Lúcio, A. D. C., & Lopes, S. J. (2010). Correlations between growth variables and the Dickson quality index in forest seedlings. Cerne, 16, 457–464.
  5. 5. Enders, A., Hanley, K., Whitman, T., Joseph, S., & Lehmann, J. (2012). Characterization of biochars to evaluate recalcitrance and agronomic performance. Bioresource Technology, 114, 644–653.
  6. 6. Feizi, H., & Javedanipour, E. (2021). Titanium dioxide nanoparticles and magnetic field stimulate seed germination and seedling growth of Cannabis sativa L. Romanian Agricultural Research, 38, 69–77.
  7. 7. Glaser, B., Wiedner, K., Seelig, S., Schmidt, H. P., & Gerber, H. (2015). Biochar organic fertilizers from natural resources as substitute for mineral fertilizers. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 35, 667–678.
  8. 8. Ijaz, S., & Haq, I. U. (Eds.). (2021). Dalbergia sissoo: Biology, ecology and sustainable agroforestry. CRC Press.
  9. 9. Jaenicke, H. (1999). Good tree nursery practices: Practical guidelines for research nurseries. International Centre for Research in Agroforestry.
  10. 10. Kalderis, D., Anastasiou, E., Petrakis, E., & Konopisi, S. (2024). Utilization of biochar from olive tree pruning as additive to cement mortars. Journal of Cleaner Production, 469, Article 143137.
  11. 11. Kumar, A., Joseph, S., Tsechansky, L., Privat, K., Schreiter, I. J., Schüth, C., & Graber, E. R. (2018). Biochar aging in contaminated soil promotes Zn immobilization due to changes in biochar surface structural and chemical properties. Science of the Total Environment, 626, 953–961.
  12. 12. Lehmann, J., & Joseph, S. (2015). Biochar for environmental management: An introduction. In J. Lehmann & S. Joseph (Eds.), Biochar for environmental management: Science, technology and implementation (2nd ed., pp. 1–13). Routledge.
  13. 13. Major, J., Rondon, M., Molina, D., Riha, S. J., & Lehmann, J. (2010). Maize yield and nutrition during 4 years after biochar application to a Colombian savanna oxisol. Plant and Soil, 333, 117–128.
  14. 14. Mishra, R. K., Kumar, D. J. P., Narula, A., Chistie, S. M., & Naik, S. U. (2023). Production and beneficial impact of biochar for environmental application: A review on types of feedstocks, chemical compositions, operating parameters, techno-economic study, and life cycle assessment. Fuel, 343, Article 127968.
  15. 15. Singh, C., Tiwari, S., & Singh, J. S. (2020). Biochar: A sustainable tool in soil pollutant bioremediation. In P. K. Mishra, A. K. Choudhary, & A. K. Shukla (Eds.), Bioremediation of industrial waste for environmental safety: Volume II: Biological agents and methods for industrial waste management (pp. 475–494). Springer.
  16. 16. Singh, H., Northup, B. K., Rice, C. W., & Prasad, P. V. (2022). Biochar applications influence soil physical and chemical properties, microbial diversity, and crop productivity: A meta-analysis. Biochar, 4(1), Article 8.
  17. 17. Smith, S. M., Geden, O., Gidden, M. J., Lamb, W. F., Nemet, G. F., Minx, J. C., Buck, H., Burke, J., Cox, E., Edwards, M. R., Fuss, S., Johnstone, I., Müller-Hansen, F., Pongratz, J., Probst, B. S., Roe, S., Schenuit, F., Schulte, I., & Vaughan, N. E. (Eds.). (2024). The state of carbon dioxide removal (2nd ed.). https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/F85QJ
  18. 18. Takoutsing, B., Tchoundjeu, Z., Degrande, A., Asaah, E., Gyau, A., Nkeumoe, F., & Tsobeng, A. (2014). Assessing the quality of seedlings in small-scale nurseries in the highlands of Cameroon: The use of growth characteristics and quality thresholds as indicators. Small-Scale Forestry, 13(1), 65–77.
  19. 19. Thies, J. E., Rillig, M. C., & Graber, E. R. (2015). Biochar effects on the abundance, activity and diversity of the soil biota. In J. Lehmann & S. Joseph (Eds.), Biochar for environmental management: Science, technology and implementation (2nd ed., pp. 327–389). Routledge.
  20. 20. Yousaf, M. T. B., Nawaz, M. F., Zia ur Rehman, M., Gul, S., Yasin, G., Rizwan, M., & Ali, S. (2021). Effect of three different types of biochars on eco-physiological response of important agroforestry tree species under salt stress. International Journal of Phytoremediation, 23(13), 1412–1422.

Looking up citing articles…

    Copyright © 2026 Indian Journal of Agroforestry