Biochar Improves Root Growth of Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxb. Container Seedlings
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The results of the measurements "Height-diameter ratio" (Table 2.), "Total root length" and "Root surface area" (Table 4.) giving 3-digit values are given with too high accuracy. With three-digit values, entering hundredths unnecessarily complicates the reading of the results. By analogy two-digit values should be given to one decimal place
Figure 1. How were homogeneous groups counted? Are months treated as a separate factor?
- if yes: then in September the group 'a' is missing, so how do the groups marked as 'ab' (i.e. C2, C5, C6) differ from the others in September marked as 'b'? (similarly in August 'a' is missing)
- if not: why CK July is marked with a different letter from C2 August, if the values are similar?
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
Firstly, thank you very much for your comments and carefulness. I have revised the manuscript according to your advice. I have responded point to point in the attachment. And I also corrected the mistakes in the original manuscript by using the "Track Changes" function. Please see the attachment.
I really appreciate your comments. And thanks again.
King regards,
Hong
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
I can confirm that the subject matter of this study (Biochar improves root growth of Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxb. container seedlings) is of interest and relevance for publication in Agronomy.
Comments to the Author:
- The authors did not present any aim or hypothesis at the beginning
- add reference to Statistical analysis
- correct Conclusion - but the conclusion should not be a summary. Make sure the conclusion is short and solid. Add a practical implications statement.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
Firstly, thank you very much for your comments and carefulness. I have revised the manuscript according to your advice. I have responded point to point in the attachment. And I also corrected the mistakes in the original manuscript by using the "Track Changes" function. Please see the attachment.
I really appreciate your comments. And thanks again.
King regards,
Hong
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
The manuscript ,,Biochar improves root growth of Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxb. container seedlings,, contains interesting findings, but before considering publication, some changes need to be made and some questions answered. I recommend a major revision.
My advice, recommendations and comments are listed below.
Please be sure that your manuscript thoroughly establishes how this work is fundamentally novel. Specific comparisons should be made to previously published materials that have a similar purpose. Please present a strong case for how this work is a major advance. This needs to be done in the manuscript itself, not just in the response to review comments. This is a very important point in terms of which I will further consider the manuscript.
Please be sure that your abstract and your Conclusions section not only summarize the key findings of your work but also explain the specific ways in which this work fundamentally advances the field relative to prior literature.
Introduction must be expanded and improved. The significance of this study should be more emphasize in the introduction. Take a look at this paper that may help you. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969720380955
Line 25: Why did you choose this type of plant for your experiments - Sapium sebiferum (L.)?
Line 63: You have used 1% dilute NaOH solution, is it not unsuitable for plants such a very irritating chemical?
Line 31-34, biochar: This issue has been addressed in great detail by this very important paper and therefore the authors are encouraged to add it here as a reference. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412021001525
Line 84: Indicate the country of origin of each devices on which the experiments were performed.
Line 178: I'm interested in the measurement deviations as they were?
Line 233: Enter the CEC value.
In the future, I would appreciate some more expanding analyzes and more results.
Line 265: Indicate the possible risks of such research. Add your recommendations for future research.
Line 292: Make sure the references are added correctly according to the journal's instructions.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
Firstly, thank you very much for your constructive comments. And we have replied point by point in the attachment. Also, we have corrected them in the revised manuscript by using the "Track Changes" function. Please see the two attachments. Looking forward to your new comments and reply.
King regards,
Hong
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 3 Report
The manuscript ,,Biochar improves root growth of Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxb. container seedlings,, has been improved a therefore I recommend accept in its current form.
