Abstract

Improving seedling quality is important for obtaining high yield in machinetransplanted rice production. In recent years, it has been of interest to use biochar in growing media. However, limited information is available on the potential use of biochar in raising machine-transplanted rice seedlings. This study was conducted to provide such information through determining the effects of biochar addition on machine-transplanted rice seedling traits in a tray experiment. Root length, surface area, volume, and biomass of machine-transplanted rice seedlings grown in nursery soil amended with biochar at a volume-by-volume ratio of 3: 1 (NMSC) were 21–53% greater than those in soil only (NMS). Leaf area, height, basal stem diameter and shoot biomass were 6–21% greater in machinetransplanted rice seedlings grown in NMSC than in NMS. Water culture test showed that number of newly formed roots was 42% more in machine-transplanted rice seedlings grown in NMSC than in NMS. Length of the longest new root was 13% longer in machinetransplanted rice seedlings grown in NMSC than in NMS. These results suggest that biochar presents a potential use in raising machine-transplanted rice seedlings.