Influence of Poultry Manure-Derived Biochar and Funneliformis mosseae on Dry Matter Yield, Centration and Uptake of some nutrient Elements, Greenness Index in Corn Grown under Salinity Stress

Salinity is among the most important stresses worldwide that affect the absorption and transport of nutrients to plants due to its high sodium concentration. The objective of this study was investigate the possibility of using high adsorption capacity of biochar for increasing sodium adsorption, reducing sodium to potassium ratio of the plant and reducing the negative effect of salinity on plant growth, concentration and uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus with use of mycorrhizal as an bio-amendment. This research was conducted with factorial arrangement in completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments consisted of five levels of organic substances (control, poultry manure (PM)(1% and 2%), poultry manure biochar (PMB) (1% and 2%), four salinity levels (0.5, 3.6, 7.9 and 12.4 dS.m-1) and two fungus levels (control and inoculated with Funneliformis mosseae). Application of PM and its biochar significantly increased growth, greennessindex, concentration and uptake of macronutrients, but decreased percentage of root colonization. Application of PM significantly increased corn plant sodium concentration. Application of PMB had no significant effect on sodium concentration compared to the control treatment, but significantly reduced shoot sodium/potassium ratio (Na+: K+) by increasing potassium concentration. Biochar application at high levels of salinity (7.9 and 12.4 dS.m-1) significantly reduced shoots Na+: K+ ratio. AMF application did not affect plant growth due to the high amount of phosphorous at 2% PMB treatment. In general, results indicated that corn dry matter yield at co-application of fungus and 1% biochar treatment was similar to 2% PM treatment and also, did not inhibit the effectiveness of fungus in reducing the shoot sodium to potassium ratio at high salinity levels.