A Novel Biostimulant–Biochar Strategy for Improving Soil Quality and Salinity Tolerance in Medicinal Mint (<i>Mentha longifolia</i> L.)

A Novel Biostimulant–Biochar Strategy for Improving Soil Quality and Salinity Tolerance in Medicinal Mint (<i>Mentha longifolia</i> L.)

This study evaluated the combined application of biochar (BC) and <i>Spirulina platensis</i> (SP) as a sustainable strategy to improve soil quality and salinity tolerance in mint (<i>Mentha longifolia</i> L.) cultivated in sandy soils. A pot experiment was conducted using sal...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mamdouh A. Eissa, Modhi O. Alotaibi, Mashael M. Alotibi, Alya Aljuaid, Taghreed Hamad Aldayel, Adel M. Ghoneim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Soil Systems
Subjects:
biochar
salinity
sandy soil
<i>Spirulina</i>
soil quality
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8789/9/2/58
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Summary:This study evaluated the combined application of biochar (BC) and <i>Spirulina platensis</i> (SP) as a sustainable strategy to improve soil quality and salinity tolerance in mint (<i>Mentha longifolia</i> L.) cultivated in sandy soils. A pot experiment was conducted using saline irrigation water (5 dS m<sup>−1</sup>) with four treatments: control, BC alone, SP alone, and BC + SP applied at 1% (<i>w</i>/<i>w</i>), arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Salt stress reduced plant height and biomass yield by 16% and 27%, respectively, and increased sodium (Na<sup>+</sup>) in shoots by 74%, causing ionic imbalance and decreased soil microbial biomass carbon by 19%. The combined BC + SP treatment significantly improved soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) by 100%, reduced soil Na⁺ by 41%, and enhanced K<sup>+</sup>/Na<sup>+</sup> and Ca<sup>2+</sup>/Na<sup>+</sup> ratios by 138% and 133%, respectively. Under salinity, BC + SP increased nutrient concentrations in mint shoots, including N (120%), P (106%), K (88%), Ca (67%), Fe (70%), Mn (50%), Zn (44%), and Cu (70%), and improved leaf chlorophyll content. These results demonstrate that BC and SP synergistically mitigate salinity stress by improving soil properties, nutrient uptake, and ionic balance, making BC + SP a promising sustainable amendment for saline sandy soils.
ISSN:2571-8789

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