Effects of biochar, N-enriched biochar and urea on tomato seed germination, vegetative growth, and fruit traits.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Agronomic uses of biochar have been intensely explored in the last 15 years. Recently, a new generation of biochar-based fertilizers has been developed. Raw biochar (BCH), nitrogen-enriched biochar (N + BCH) or urea were added to a coir fiber-based substrate for tomato cultivation, to assess seed germination, growth and fruiting of two cultivars (Cuarenteno and Moneymaker).

Results

BCH stimulated seed germination and early radicle growth, possibly because of the presence of karrikins detected in both BCH and N-BCH (0.039 and 0.044 mg kg^-1, respectively). However, BCH reduced growth in adult plants in both cultivars, probably because of ammonium retention, causing low-N-stress-related symptoms such as accumulation of flavonoids in the leaf. Urea was toxi

SUBMITTER: Fornes F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11824915 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature