| Summary: | The addition of Biochar (BC) into the soil is expected to improve soil physicochemical properties and plant growth. However, few studies have verified such an effect on the growth and physiological characteristics of conifers. The current study aims to assess the efficacy of novel physiological parameters as an indicator for assessing the impact of hardwood biochar (BH) on the development of Fokienia hodginsii seedlings to strengthen our understanding of the impacts of the BH on soil to optimize the achievement of BC-based restoration projects. The BH was applied to the soil under four different levels (0, 5, 20, and 80 g Kg-1 of soil) to assess their influence on the leave’s photosynthetic pigments, photosynthesis (Pn), and biochemical traits of F. hodginsii seedlings in four different seasons, and on biomass and soil physicochemical properties at final harvest under greenhouse conditions for one year. In the first two seasons, BH20 and BH80 amended seedlings responded with an improved photosynthetic rate with more production of photosynthetic pigments and biochemical attributes. However, none of the BC doses increased the Pn of seedlings in the final season. Nonetheless, after one year a rise in soil pH as well as P and K availability resulted in a maximum 25% increase in biomass of F. hodginsii under BH80 amendments. Our findings reveal that the incorporation of BH (20 and 80 g kg-1 of soil) has a substantial positive effect on seedling biomass and soil fertility. However, the application of BH into acidic soils may be effective in restoring degraded soils if initially combined with fertilizers. We recommend a careful approach to the selection of BC because its influence may vary between different soil types, plant species, and BC feedstocks.
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