Effect of biochar on some morphological and physiological traits in Medicago sativa and Bromus tomentellus

Biochar is a carbon rich product which created under low Oxygen conditions. In this study the effect of Biochar in three levels 0, 0.5 and 1 weight percentage on morphological traits like height, SLA, aboveground and underground biomass, length and volume of root and physiological characteristics such as chlorophylls, gas exchange and electrolyte leakage for two Bromus tomentellus and Medicago sativa species were investigated. Results showed that biochar increased the height of both B. tomentellus and M. sativa which was higher in 0.5 level than 1 percent. However, there were no differences between control and 1 percent of M. sativa. In both species biochar has no effect on SLA. Biochar had no effects on aboveground and below ground biomass for B. tomentellus and significantly increased below ground biomass and no effect on above ground biomass. Both root length and volume increased by biochar. Biochar had no effect on chlorophylls of B. tomentellus but in level 0.5 lead to increasing of chlorophylls for M. sativa. Gas exchange increased by biochar and electrolyte leakage had no significant effect. In general, increasing biochar level reduced morphological traits and increased physiological traits.