Guidelines for Evaluating the Efficiency of Biochar in Reducing Soil Acidity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/jare-mju.2025.28Keywords:
soil acidity, biochar, precise rate, growth performanceAbstract
Evaluation of suitable application rate of biochar produced from various agricultural and agro-industrial materials is required to serve as a guideline for farmers. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the optimal application rate of biochar and assess its potential impact on early plant growth. The study consisted of three main steps: (1) optimizing the biochar application rate before conducting a pot experiment, (2) studying the chemical and physical properties of the selected biochar and (3) evaluating plant growth responses. The initial experiment involved incubating acidic soils with known lime requirement (LR) alongside biochar derived from spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and coconut shell (CS), which was mixed with slaked lime (L). Five treatments were tested: SMS 0.5LR, SMS 0.75LR, CS:L (3:1) LR, and CS:L (1:1) LR. A completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 replications was employed. Results showed that SMS 0.5LR and CS:L (1:3) LR effectively increased soil pH without exceeding 7.5, making them suitable for further investigation. A subsequent experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with six replications. Treatments included slaked lime at LR, SMS at 0.5LR, CS:L (1:3) at LR, and recommended chemical fertilizers, compared to untreated acidic soil. Plant growth parameters, including leaf greenness, and nutrient deficiency symptoms, in baby corn (Zea mays L.) were determined. Results indicated that both biochar treatments enhanced plant growth comparable to the lime treatment.
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