## 4 Discussion
This is because of a positive plant growth response to applied biochar [41; 54]; although, the increase in plant growth could be due to the synergistic effect of biochar and fertilizer [55], more nutrient availability [56], balanced microbes [57], and substrate with better properties [58]. In the present study, the biomass of root and shoot seedlings of maize increased under the influence of biochar addition (Table 2), which is in accordance with the previous findings of [PERSON] et al. [59]. They reviewed that biochar application increased shoot and root biomass in biochar amended soil. Similarly, significant enhancement in root and shoot biomass has also been reported previously by [PERSON] et al. [60] in _Robinia pseudoaccia_ L. seedlings. However, studies conducted by [59; 60] also reported reduced root to shoot ratio due to biochar addition into the soil. Conversely, here in our study, an increase in root to shoot ratio was observed, as reported by [PERSON] et al. [61]. Significant increase in total chlorophyll, and a and b chlorophyll, was observed in this experiment with biochar amendment as compared to the control treatment (Table 3). Reduced chlorophyll content in control treatment might be due to the reduction in specific enzyme suppression necessary for chlorophyll synthesis and reduced mineral uptake, e.g., Mg required for pigment synthesis [62]. Chlorophyll content of _Malus hupehensis Rehd_. seedlings was improved with biochar application into the soil [63]. [PERSON] and [PERSON] [64] also reported improved chlorophyll content (chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll) in vegetables grown in organics-amended soil [65], and in _Amaranthus_ as well [66]. Biochar application also played a very important role in increasing the enzyme activity; a non-significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) expression in leaves is shown in Table 3. Enhanced antioxidant activity (SOD and CAT) in seedling leaves after biochar addition to soil is also reported previously by [PERSON] et al. [63], which could be due to the improved uptake of essential minerals or biochar trigger activities of some specific enzymes [67]. Mean emergence time (MET) also decreased in the current experiment as evident by (Figure 1). A similar finding, i.e., reduced MET, was also observed by [PERSON] et al. [68], due to the utilization of vegetable waste biochar as soil amendment. Low moisture level in soil reduces the seed germination as well [69], and biochar application in our study helped to overcome this shortcoming because biochar enhances the water holding capacity of the soil and maintains the soil moisture level which promotes germination rate of seeds. In the present study, biochar application increased seed germination and germination rate or mean emergence time (MET) in days (Figures 3 and 4). The possible reason for better germination is more water content held by biochar, as reported by [PERSON] et al. [46] and [PERSON] et al. [70]. Use of organic amendments put into the soil has greater influence on moisture in growing medium that ultimately results in improved seed germination [71]; although, soluble plant growth regulators and native bacteria present in the amendment also lead to healthier germination of seeds. Here, better seed germination of maize plants could also be due to the mineral nutrients present in biochar which are released slowly, thus maintaining the fertility level of the soil to promote growth attributes [50]. Another factor that may also be the reason of better germination is the adsorption capacity of biochar. This study resembled with [72; 73], who reported that biochar addition into the soil increased germination parameters. Seed germination rate was enhanced by biochar addition as organic amendment, specifically when applied at a lower rate [74]. Improved germination of _Robinia pseudoaccia_ L. with biochar addition into the calcareous soil has also been reported [60].