Effects of Biochar Fertilizer on Photosynthetic and Transpiration Functions of Paddy Rice Based on Box-Cox Transformation

Biochar is recognized for its ability to improve soil chemical, physical, and biological properties, thereby enhancing crop productivity. However, the effects of biochar on photosynthetic and transpiration traits in rice crop–soil systems, particularly through the lens of on-site data subjected to Box–Cox transformation, remain insufficiently explored. To address this, a two-factor randomized block design experiment was conducted using the rice cultivar Nanjiang 9108 at the Agricultural Meteorology Experimental Station of Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology over the 2022–2023 growing seasons. This study investigated changes in leaf photosynthetic and transpiration parameters under combined applications of biochar (0, 15, and 30 t/ha) and nitrogen fertilizer (0, 180, 225, and 300 kg/ha). Application of the Box–Cox transformation substantially improved data normality and variance homogeneity, enabling the development of a robust predictive model linking net photosynthetic rate to environmental factors. A two-way ANOVA further revealed that both the high nitrogen (300 kg/ha) with high biochar (30 t/ha) treatment and the conventional nitrogen (225 kg/ha) with moderate biochar (15 t/ha) treatment significantly enhanced rice photosynthetic and transpiration performance. Of particular note, the N225B15 treatment effectively balancing yield objectives with ecological considerations, which is recommended as an optimal fertilization strategy for sustainable rice production. These results underscore the synergistic role of moderate biochar and nitrogen inputs in improving key physiological traits of rice, supporting higher crop yields.