Ghaedi, et al (2024) 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 application affected biochemical properties, yield and nutrient content of safflower under water stress. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-71131-w

In arid and semi-arid regions, drought significantly limits crop productivity, particularly during critical growth stages like flowering. This study explores how biochar, a carbon-rich material derived from organic waste, can enhance the yield and nutrient content of safflower, a drought-tolerant crop, under water stress conditions.

Over two growing seasons, researchers applied biochar from wheat and cotton residues, both alone and combined with reduced doses of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers. These treatments were tested under normal irrigation and water stress conditions (with irrigation cut off at the flowering stage).

The findings revealed that combining cotton biochar with 75% of the recommended N and P doses significantly improved safflower yield, chlorophyll content, and relative water content (RWC) under water stress. This combination increased seed yield by 10.2-12.6% compared to treatments using wheat biochar. Moreover, biochar application reduced the need for irrigation, highlighting its water retention benefits.

However, biochar alone was less effective in alleviating drought stress compared to when it was combined with chemical fertilizers. The study concludes that integrating cotton biochar with reduced fertilizer application could be an optimal strategy for enhancing safflower production in drought-prone areas, offering a sustainable approach to managing water and nutrient resources in agriculture.