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Effects of Biochar, Compost and Mycorrhizal Treatments on Photosynthetic Productivity and Plant Growth

Year 2026, Volume: 47 Issue: 1, 65 - 76, 27.02.2026

İbrahim Ortaş , Çağdaş Akpınar , Bilge Yılmaz , Ahmet Demirbaş

https://izlik.org/JA88YS25TT

Abstract

This study investigated the synergistic effects of various arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculations and organic amendments on the development and photosynthetic efficiency of sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) seedlings. The experimental design included different doses of compost and biochar derived from two distinct feedstocks: Eucalyptus and Phragmites australis. The results showed that biochar derived from P. australis significantly outperformed eucalyptus biochar in enhancing Photosystem II (PSII) efficiency across different soil types (Kızıltapır and Balcalı). While all mycorrhizal treatments improved growth compared to non-inoculated controls, seedlings inoculated with Rhizophagus clarus showed greater improvements in terms of plant height, stem diameter, leaf number and PSII efficiency than those with indigenous mycorrhizae. A significant interaction was observed between the type of amendment and the mycorrhizal species: plants associated with indigenous AMF showed optimal benefits at amendment rates up to 20 t ha-1, whereas those inoculated with Rh. clarus reached peak performance at a lower threshold of 10 t ha-1. Overall, integrating P. australis biochar and Rh. clarus inoculation is a highly effective strategy for optimizing the nursery production of citrus seedlings.

Keywords

Biochar Compost Eucalyptus and phragmites australis Photosynthetic (PSII) efficiency Sour orange seedlings

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There are 24 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Plant Physiology, Plant Morphology and Anatomy
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

İbrahim Ortaş 0000-0003-4496-3960

Çağdaş Akpınar 0000-0003-2783-397X

Bilge Yılmaz 0000-0002-7994-739X

Ahmet Demirbaş 0000-0003-8759-8745

Submission Date September 11, 2025
Acceptance Date February 20, 2026
Publication Date February 27, 2026
DOI https://doi.org/10.17776/csj.1781615
IZ https://izlik.org/JA88YS25TT
Published in Issue Year 2026 Volume: 47 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Ortaş, İ., Akpınar, Ç., Yılmaz, B., & Demirbaş, A. (2026). Effects of Biochar, Compost and Mycorrhizal Treatments on Photosynthetic Productivity and Plant Growth. Cumhuriyet Science Journal, 47(1), 65-76. https://doi.org/10.17776/csj.1781615

As of 2026, Cumhuriyet Science Journal will be published in six issues per year, released in February, April, June, August, October, and December