Soil physical properties affected by biochar addition at different plant phaenological phases. Part II

Abstract

A great emphasis has been placed on biochar addition to soils to improve its physical, chemical, and biological properties in recent times in order to achieve improved crop growth and yields. The present study explored to soil physical changes through different plant growth stages caused by biochar addition to silt loam soil in a pot-experiment. Our research focused on changes in soil bulk density, aggregate size distribution, and saturated hydraulic conductivity. The soils were amended with different amounts of biochars (control with 0, BC0.5 with 0.5%, BC2.5 with 2.5%, and BC5.0 with 5.0% biochar, by weight). Capsicum annuum L. were planted at a two-four leaf stage. Soil samples were taken at 6, 10 and 12 weeks after planting. The biochar amendment resulted in a significant decrease in soil bulk density values. Soil saturated hydraulic conductivity values ranged between 5.5 and 7.9 times higher for all treatments compared to the controls.