Can application of biochar improve the soil water characteristics of silty loam soil?

Abstract

Purpose This study investigates if a biochar application in 2014 and its reapplication in 2018 had affected the selected physical and hydrophysical soil properties of silty loam Haplic Luvisol at Dolná Malanta experimental site (Nitra, Slovakia) during the studied period of 2018–2020. Materials and methods Biochar was produced from cereal husks and paper fiber sludge by pyrolysis at temperature of 550 °C for 30 min and was applied to the soil in doses of 0, 10, and 20 t ha−1. The biochar treatments were combined with three levels of N fertilization (N0, N1, and N2). Results Biochar significantly decreased the bulk density up to − 12% and increased the soil porosity up to + 22% even 4–6 years after the biochar application. We also observed an increase in saturated hydraulic conductivity, which was reflected in better precipitation retention and a higher average soil water content by 12–15% depending on the fertilization level. Depending on the level of N fertilization, the interval of plant available water enlarged by 8–51% (10 t ha−1 of biochar), 18–21% (20 t ha−1 of biochar) after single biochar application, and by 18–34% (10 t ha−1 of biochar) and 19–31% (20 t ha−1 of biochar) after reapplication of biochar, which has positive implications regarding providing soil water to plants. Conclusions The results indicate that biochar amendments have the potential to substantially improve the soil water characteristics, and therefore, the quality status of silty loam agricultural soils.

Study on the physical properties of a forest Glossic Retisol developed from loess in the Lublin Upland, SE Poland

“…the size, number and arrangement of soil pores and solid phase elements, which in turn modelled the water retention functions. Similarly, Toková et al (2023) found a reduction in bulk density and an increase in total porosity of an arable silty loam Haplic Luvisol under repeated biochar application at a dose of 20 t ha −1 , which improved the saturated hydraulic conductivity, water storage and overall hydrological soil balance. Typically, the content of organic matter (organic carbon) is among the most important input parameters for predicting soil hydraulic properties.…”

“…The high economic significance of these arable soils resulted in extensive research on topics such as their structure, compaction, erosion, water and air properties. For example, Toková et al (2023) examined the effect of biochar on selected physical and hydrophysical soil properties of an arable silty loam Haplic Luvisol in Slovakia. Klíč et al (2022) assessed the impact of land use (arable and forest) on the aggregate size distribution in a Haplic Luvisol developed on loess in Czechia during dry and wet sieving.…”