235
While soil is amended by biochar, the soil water holding capacity increases
because of soil bulk density, and it simulates growth in root and enhancement in
microbial activity of the soil (Major et al. 2010; Zheng et al. 2010). Another study,
addition of biochar to a highly productive Clarion loam reduced soil bulk density
(Laird et al. 2010). Tammeorg et al. (2014) also showed that by biochar application,
the available water of the plant at the top 20 cm of soil during the first year is higher
and the soil bulk density decreased during the second year. It was also reported that
application of biochar reduces soil tensile strength, which leads to reduction in tillage costs (Vaccari et al. 2011).
9.2 Medicinal Plants and Application in Terms of Biochar
Medicinal plants have a long history of human life and been identified and used for
centuries. Some kind of plants produces and synthesizes chemical compounds
which are important in performing biological functions. Medicinal plants are important effective sources against different kinds of infectious agents. Medicinal plants
are more available resources and have fewer side effects. They are also economic
and have antimicrobial properties. Medicinal plants are among the precious resources
in developing antibiotics. Despite the value of herbs for flavoring, aromatic, and
medicinal properties, the modern age production of herb excels their importance.
The mishandle of antibiotics caused the emergence of some sort of pathogenic
strains from bacteria that are antibiotic resistant. Accordingly, after an extended
period of antibiotic consumption, the bacteria become resistant to it and behave less
effective. Hence, the pharmaceutical companies that focus on manufacturing new
generation of antibiotics strive in knowing how to handle the bacterial strains which
are resistant to antibiotics.
9.3 Biochar Effects on Crops and Medicinal Plants
A carbon-based porous material has proven to provide higher crop yields, enhancing soil health and maintaining nutrients in the soil and preventing their discharging
into the groundwater. Physical and chemical nature of biochar has a special ability
for holding and attracting moisture, nutrients, and agrochemicals, even those which
are retaining difficult such as nitrogen and phosphorous to hold in soil. This is
because nitrogen always tends to run-off from regular soils and is causing ecosystem balance disruption in streams and riparian areas.
In addition, biochar’s massive complex pore structure and surface area provides
a safe habitat for fungi and microorganisms. For a greater nutrient uptake by plants,
some specific fungi can form a symbiotic relationship with the plant root fibers.
9 Effect of Biochar Addition to Soil on Plant Quality
While soil is amended by biochar, the soil water holding capacity increases
because of soil bulk density, and it simulates growth in root and enhancement in
microbial activity of the soil (Major et al. 2010; Zheng et al. 2010). Another study,
addition of biochar to a highly productive Clarion loam reduced soil bulk density
(Laird et al. 2010). Tammeorg et al. (2014) also showed that by biochar application,
the available water of the plant at the top 20 cm of soil during the first year is higher
and the soil bulk density decreased during the second year. It was also reported that
application of biochar reduces soil tensile strength, which leads to reduction in tillage costs (Vaccari et al. 2011).
9.2 Medicinal Plants and Application in Terms of Biochar
Medicinal plants have a long history of human life and been identified and used for
centuries. Some kind of plants produces and synthesizes chemical compounds
which are important in performing biological functions. Medicinal plants are important effective sources against different kinds of infectious agents. Medicinal plants
are more available resources and have fewer side effects. They are also economic
and have antimicrobial properties. Medicinal plants are among the precious resources
in developing antibiotics. Despite the value of herbs for flavoring, aromatic, and
medicinal properties, the modern age production of herb excels their importance.
The mishandle of antibiotics caused the emergence of some sort of pathogenic
strains from bacteria that are antibiotic resistant. Accordingly, after an extended
period of antibiotic consumption, the bacteria become resistant to it and behave less
effective. Hence, the pharmaceutical companies that focus on manufacturing new
generation of antibiotics strive in knowing how to handle the bacterial strains which
are resistant to antibiotics.
9.3 Biochar Effects on Crops and Medicinal Plants
A carbon-based porous material has proven to provide higher crop yields, enhancing soil health and maintaining nutrients in the soil and preventing their discharging
into the groundwater. Physical and chemical nature of biochar has a special ability
for holding and attracting moisture, nutrients, and agrochemicals, even those which
are retaining difficult such as nitrogen and phosphorous to hold in soil. This is
because nitrogen always tends to run-off from regular soils and is causing ecosystem balance disruption in streams and riparian areas.
In addition, biochar’s massive complex pore structure and surface area provides
a safe habitat for fungi and microorganisms. For a greater nutrient uptake by plants,
some specific fungi can form a symbiotic relationship with the plant root fibers.
9 Effect of Biochar Addition to Soil on Plant Quality