Research Article
Effect of Biochar Application Rate, Production (Pyrolysis) Temperature and Feedstock Type (Rice Husk/Maize Straw) on Amendment of Clay-Acidic Soil
@INPROCEEDINGS{10.1007/978-3-030-15357-1_11, author={Brook Tesfamichael and Nebiyeleul Gessese}, title={Effect of Biochar Application Rate, Production (Pyrolysis) Temperature and Feedstock Type (Rice Husk/Maize Straw) on Amendment of Clay-Acidic Soil}, proceedings={Advances of Science and Technology. 6th EAI International Conference, ICAST 2018, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, October 5-7, 2018, Proceedings}, proceedings_a={ICAST}, year={2019}, month={3}, keywords={Biochar Pyrolysis temperature Soil amendment Rice husk Maize straw}, doi={10.1007/978-3-030-15357-1_11} }- Brook Tesfamichael
Nebiyeleul Gessese
Year: 2019
Effect of Biochar Application Rate, Production (Pyrolysis) Temperature and Feedstock Type (Rice Husk/Maize Straw) on Amendment of Clay-Acidic Soil
ICAST
Springer
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-15357-1_11
Abstract
Biochar is a porous solid material produced by pyrolysis (oxygen-free burning) of biomass for the sake of improving soil quality. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of biochar application rate, pyrolysis temperature and feedstock type on the fertility of leached, acidic, clay soil. The biochars used in the study were produced from rice husk (RH) and maize straw (MS) at pyrolysis temperatures of 350, 450 and 550 °C, so in total six biochars were used. To examine the effects of biochar on soil amendment, the six biochars were mixed with the acidic, clay soil at four different levels of applications (0.5, 2.0, 5.0 and 10.0% w/w) then they were chemically characterized. pH, electrical conductivity, CEC, exchangeable basic cations, WHC, organic carbon and total nitrogen content were determined. The increment in the application rate of biochar resulted in a significant increment in soil pH, CEC, exchangeable basic cations, WHC, Organic carbon content. Increasing the biochar production temperature from 350 to 550 °C brought slight increment in pH, Electrical conductivity and Organic carbon content of the soil. Incorporating RH biochar in the soil resulted in higher soil pH but higher organic carbon content of the soil was acquired by incorporating MS biochar.