Effects of biochar on the growth of Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata and Dodonaea angustifolia planted in Tigray, northern Ethiopia

Abstract

In northern Ethiopia, revegetation is necessary for preventing land degradation. However, planting seedlings show high mortality under arid climate. Biochar has the capacity to enhance seedling survival and symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. We planted Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata and Dodonaea angustifolia into soil treated with biochar made from Acacia etbaica. We could not confirm the effects of biochar on the growth of these species; however, biochar was increased colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. We concluded that application of biochar enhanced symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under arid climate and was efficient for the revegetation in northern Ethiopia.