Wen, et al (2024) Rhizophagus irregularis and biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More can synergistically improve the physiological characteristics of saline-alkali resistance of switchgrass. Physiologia Plantarum. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.14367

Inoculating arbuscular mycorrhizal fungiThese are friendly fungi that form a partnership with plant roots. They act like an extension of the root system, helping plants access water and nutrients more effectively. Biochar can create a cozy habitat for these helpful fungi, boosting their growth and improving plant health.   More (AMF) or applying biochar (BC) has been shown to enhance photosynthesis and plant growth under saline-alkali stress. However, the combined effect of these treatments on switchgrass growth remains understudied. A recent study explored this by testing four treatments: no AMF or biochar (control), biochar alone (BC), AMF alone (Rhizophagus irregularis, Ri), and both biochar and AMF combined (BC+Ri).

Results indicated that switchgrass in the BC+Ri treatment group exhibited significantly higher above-ground, belowground, and total biomass—by 136.7%, 120.2%, and 132.4%, respectively—compared to the control. This combined treatment also markedly improved the relative chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and photosynthetic parameters of the plant leaves.

Notably, the BC+Ri group showed the highest values in transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, net photosynthetic rate, PSII efficiency, and other photosynthesis-related metrics, with increases ranging from 38% to 54% over other treatments. Light and CO2 response curves further demonstrated that this group had the highest light saturation point, light compensation point, maximum carboxylation rate, and maximum electron transfer rate.

In summary, the combined application of biochar and Rhizophagus irregularis significantly promotes switchgrass growth under saline-alkali stress by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity and improving photosynthetic characteristics. This approach holds promise for improving plant resilience and productivity in challenging environments.