Effect of Soil Amendments Derived from Agricultural Biomass to Improve Corn Growth and Soil Fertility in an Upland Field

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate corn growth and soil fertility after soil amendment application of three types in an upland field in South Korea. Each of the barley straw biochar (BSB, applied at 1,000 kg 10a -1 ), animal carcass biochar (ACB, applied at 1,000 kg 10a -1 ) along with compost (applied at 2,000 kg 10a -1 ), and bottom ash (BA, applied at 1,000 kg 10a -1 ); the Control area was only treated compost. The corn grain yield was improved when grown under BSB, ACB, and BA with compost. Overall, biochar application had more effect on the productivity of biomass and corn yield, and showed significant results in corn cultivation. In particular, the corn grain yield was the highest under BSB treatment was over 22%, 11%, and 7% higher than those grown under Control, ACB, and BA treatments, respectively. Soil chemical properties after soil amendment addition were improved. In particular, soil pH and CEC related to crop nutrient availability were significantly increased in BSB, ACB, and BA areas compared to those in Control area. Therefore, these results indicate that corn productivity, when cultivated in soil conditions such as those in an upland field in South Korea, can be increased by application of soil amendments including BSB, ACB, and BA with compost.