Effects of Biochar Applications Under Water Deficit Conditions on Soil Enzyme Activities and the Plant Antioxidant System in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

Elif Yağanoğlu

doi:10.56430/japro.1924195

EN

Effects of Biochar Applications Under Water Deficit Conditions on Soil Enzyme Activities and the Plant Antioxidant System in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

Abstract

This study was conducted under greenhouse conditions to determine the effects of biochar applied at different rates on soil enzyme activities and the plant antioxidant system in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) under different levels of water deficit. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions in a completely randomized design with four replications. Treatments included three irrigation levels [100% field capacity (FC), 75% FC, and 25% FC] and four biochar application rates (0, 1, 2, and 4% w/w). At the end of the experiment, soil urease, dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase activities were determined. In plant samples, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) content, were analyzed. Water deficit significantly reduced soil enzyme activities and increased oxidative stress indicators in spinach plants. Under severe water deficit conditions (25% irrigation), application of 4% biochar increased urease activity from 20.15 to 22.35 (10.9%) and dehydrogenase activity from 14.48 to 15.78 (9.0%) compared with the control treatment (p < 0.01). Acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activities also increased by 3.2% and 1.3%, respectively. In contrast, MDA content decreased from 8.52 to 6.02 (29.3%), while SOD activity decreased from 7.67 to 6.88 (10.2%) under the same conditions (p < 0.01). The simultaneous reduction in MDA and antioxidant enzyme activities suggests alleviation of oxidative stress and a reduced requirement for antioxidant enzyme induction rather than suppression of the plant defense system. Correlation analysis revealed strong negative relationships between soil biochemical activity and plant stress indicators, with the strongest correlation observed between urease and CAT activity (r = −0.97, p < 0.001). The findings demonstrate that biochar application supports soil biological functions, enhances microbial activity, and alleviates oxidative stress in spinach under water-limited conditions. Therefore, biochar may serve as an effective soil management strategy for sustainable crop production under drought conditions.

Keywords

Antioxidant enzymes, Deficit irrigation, Drought stress, Oxidative stress, Soil microbial activity, Sustainable agriculture

Ethical Statement

This study does not require ethical committee approval.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Plant Nutrition and Soil Fertility

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Elif Yağanoğlu ^*
0000-0001-5963-3871
Türkiye

Publication Date

September 30, 2026

Submission Date

April 6, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 3, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.56430/japro.1924195

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA42ZT37GG

APA

Yağanoğlu, E. (2026). Effects of Biochar Applications Under Water Deficit Conditions on Soil Enzyme Activities and the Plant Antioxidant System in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). Journal of Agricultural Production, 7(3), 128-137. https://doi.org/10.56430/japro.1924195

AMA

1.Yağanoğlu E. Effects of Biochar Applications Under Water Deficit Conditions on Soil Enzyme Activities and the Plant Antioxidant System in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). J Agri Pro. 2026;7(3):128-137. doi:10.56430/japro.1924195

Chicago

Yağanoğlu, Elif. 2026. “Effects of Biochar Applications Under Water Deficit Conditions on Soil Enzyme Activities and the Plant Antioxidant System in Spinach (Spinacia Oleracea L.)”. Journal of Agricultural Production 7 (3): 128-37. https://doi.org/10.56430/japro.1924195.

EndNote

Yağanoğlu E (September 1, 2026) Effects of Biochar Applications Under Water Deficit Conditions on Soil Enzyme Activities and the Plant Antioxidant System in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). Journal of Agricultural Production 7 3 128–137.

IEEE

[1]E. Yağanoğlu, “Effects of Biochar Applications Under Water Deficit Conditions on Soil Enzyme Activities and the Plant Antioxidant System in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)”, J Agri Pro, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 128–137, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.56430/japro.1924195.

ISNAD

Yağanoğlu, Elif. “Effects of Biochar Applications Under Water Deficit Conditions on Soil Enzyme Activities and the Plant Antioxidant System in Spinach (Spinacia Oleracea L.)”. Journal of Agricultural Production 7/3 (September 1, 2026): 128-137. https://doi.org/10.56430/japro.1924195.

JAMA

1.Yağanoğlu E. Effects of Biochar Applications Under Water Deficit Conditions on Soil Enzyme Activities and the Plant Antioxidant System in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). J Agri Pro. 2026;7:128–137.

MLA

Yağanoğlu, Elif. “Effects of Biochar Applications Under Water Deficit Conditions on Soil Enzyme Activities and the Plant Antioxidant System in Spinach (Spinacia Oleracea L.)”. Journal of Agricultural Production, vol. 7, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 128-37, doi:10.56430/japro.1924195.

Vancouver

1.Elif Yağanoğlu. Effects of Biochar Applications Under Water Deficit Conditions on Soil Enzyme Activities and the Plant Antioxidant System in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). J Agri Pro. 2026 Sep. 1;7(3):128-37. doi:10.56430/japro.1924195

Abstract

Effects of Biochar Applications Under Water Deficit Conditions on Soil Enzyme Activities and the Plant Antioxidant System in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

Abstract

Keywords

Ethical Statement

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

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