Using Deficit Irrigation Strategies and Adding Sugarcane Waste Biochar as a Sustainable Material to Sandy Soils for Improving Yield and Water Productivity of Cucumber

Mamdouh A. A. Abdou, Mohamed G. Alashram, Ahmed E. Hamza, Younes M. Rashad, Ahmed M. Abd-ElGawad, Mohamed Bourouah, Mohamed Hafez () and Ramadan Eid Abdelraouf ()
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Mamdouh A. A. Abdou: Water Relation and Field Irrigation Department, Agricultural and Biological Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
Mohamed G. Alashram: Water Relation and Field Irrigation Department, Agricultural and Biological Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
Ahmed E. Hamza: Vegetable Research Department, Agricultural and Biological Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
Younes M. Rashad: Plant Protection and Biomolecular Diagnosis Department, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute (ALCRI), City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), New Borg El-Arab City 21934, Egypt
Ahmed M. Abd-ElGawad: Plant Production Department, College of Food & Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Mohamed Bourouah: Hahn-Schickard-Gesellschaft für Angewandte Forschung e.V., Wilhelm-Schickard-Straße, 78052 Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany
Mohamed Hafez: Land and Water Technologies Department, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute (ALCRI), City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), New Borg El-Arab 21934, Egypt
Ramadan Eid Abdelraouf: Water Relation and Field Irrigation Department, Agricultural and Biological Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 11, 1-20

Abstract: This study investigates the potential of biochar to mitigate drought stress in crops. Biochar amendments are increasingly recognized for their ability to enhance soil properties that promote water retention and plant resilience during dry periods. In a study conducted in Egypt, impacts of the application of sugarcane biochar on cucumber production, water productivity, and quality characteristics under deficient irrigation conditions were evaluated. Increasing the biochar application rate under arid region conditions resulted in significant improvements in cucumber yield, water productivity, vitamin C, soluble sugar content, and total soluble solids. The activated sugarcane biochar exhibited desirable properties, including a large surface area (250 m 2 g −1 ) and pore size (0.28 cm 3 g −1 ), with a microporous nature. The positive effects observed can be attributed to reduced water volume leaving the root zone, enhanced nutrient absorption, increased water holding capacity, and augmented nutrient availability. Based on the results, it is recommended to implement under-irrigation at 75% of full irrigation and apply a biochar rate of 10 tons per hectare to mitigate the environmental impacts of water scarcity and support the development of sustainable agricultural systems. In conclusion, biochar emerges as a valuable soil amendment for bolstering cucumber production and water use efficiency (WUE) under limited irrigation scenarios. Its potential lies in promoting improved soil moisture retention, enhancing nutrient availability for cucumber plants, and potentially mitigating plant stress.

Keywords: environments; water security; biochar; drought; soil sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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