Impact of a biochar or a biochar-compost mixture on water relation, nutrient uptake and photosynthesis of Phragmites karka

Soil water and nutrient status are both of major importance for plant appearance and growth performance.The objective of this study was to understand the effect of biochar(1.5%)and a biochar-compost mixture(1.5%biochar+1.5%compost)on the performance of Phragmites karka plants grown on a synthetic nutrient-poor sandy clay soil(50% sand,30% clay,and 20% gravel).Indicators of plant performance,such as growth,lignocellulosic biomass,water status(leaf water potential,osmotic potential,and turgor potential),mineral nutrition status,leaf gas exchange,and chlorophyll fluorescence,and soil respiration(carbon dioxide(CO2)flux)were assessed under greenhouse conditions.Biochar-treated plants had higher growth rates and lignocellulosic biomass production than control plants with no biochar and no compost.There was also a significant increase in soil respiration in the treatments with biochar,which stimulated microbial interactions.The increase in soil water-holding capacity after biochar amendment caused significant improvements in plant water status and plant ion(K^+,Mg^2+,and Ca^2+)contents,leading to an increase in net photosynthesis and a higher energy-use efficiency of photosystem II.Biochar-treated plants had lower oxidative stress,increased water-use efficiency,and decreased soil respiration,and the biochar-compost mixture resulted in even greater improvements in growth,leaf turgor potential,photosynthesis,nutrient content,and soil gas exchange.Our results suggest that biochar and compost promote plant growth with respect to nutrient uptake,water balance,and photosynthetic system efficiency.In summary,both the soil amendments studied could increase opportunities for P.karka to sequester CO2 and produce more fodder bio-active compounds and biomass for bio-energy on nutrient-poor degraded soils.

Traditional ethno-botanical uses of medicinal plants from coastal areas of Pakistan

Objective:To document the traditional uses of wild plants as medicine by the villagers along the coastal highway from Karachi to Uthal.Methods:Information presented in this research was gathered from the local people using an integrated approach of floral collections,discussions with the elderly people and traditional medicinal practitioners using semi-structured questionnaire.Results:27 families in the targeted area.Majority of the plants(54%)from this coastal plant diversity were xerophytes followed by halophytes/xero-halophytes(40%)and glycophytes(6%).The most important uses included gastrointestinal diseases,pain killer,arthritis,skin and sexual disorders,asthma and expectorant.The above-ground parts of plants i.e.leaf,stem and fruit/seed as decoction are used most commonly to cure 23 ailments but root was also used in some cases.Conclusions:Ethno-medicinal surveys indicated the medicinal importance of 54 plant species from phyto-medicinal claim and it is hoped that it will lead to detailed chemical and pharmacological evaluations.This may also lead to a discovery of novel bioactive compounds for food and pharmaceutical industries.This study helps in documenting therapeutic uses of herbal remedies with new pevhayltou-amtioendsic.iTnhali sc lmaiamy aanldso i tl iesa hdo tpoe da tdhiastc iot vweirlyl loeaf dn otov edle tbaiioleadc tcihveem ciocmalp aonudn pdhs afromr afcoooldog aicnadl pharmaceutical industries.