Differential response of biochar in mitigating salinity stress in periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus L.) as an ornamental-medicinal plant species

To investigate the effect of various levels of salinity and biochar on the growth and biochemical traits of Catharanthus roseus L., a medicinal plant, a factorial experiment with three levels of biochar (0, 2, and 4%) and four levels of salinity (0, 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 mg/kg soil) was conducted in pots under greenhouse conditions, in three replications, 36 pots, and 6 plants/plot. Salinity reduced the vegetative and reproductive growth and Ca and K uptake, and chlorophyll content of the plants, and increased the Na+, Cl-, electrolyte leakage, and antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT, GPX) activities. Biochar improved all the vegetative and reproductive growth and biochemical traits of Catharanthus roseus L. and enhanced soil fertility. The application of biochar at the rate of 2% at all four levels of NaCl reduced the activity of antioxidants and decreased electrolyte leakage, reflecting the alleviation of salinity effects and the retention of cell health for survival. The application of biochar 2% was more effective than biochar 4% in alleviating salinity stress. Therefore, by using 2% biochar, it is possible to improve saline soils (soils containing 1,000 or 2,000 mg/kg NaCl) and grow periwinkle ornamental-medicinal plant in it. The plants showed acceptable performance at salinity levels of 1,000 or 2,000 mg/kg with biochar 2%.