Study of some chemical properties of ultisol soil applied by biochar and compos from some biomasses and incubation time

Abstract

Biochar and compost applications are alternative in improving soil chemical properties, such as Ultisol soil and utilizing the current abundance of biomass waste. Biochar has long available properties and takes longer to decompose than compost. This study aims to compare the effect of biochar and compost for several months of incubation on soil chemical properties. This research was conducted with several pot from plastic cup and placed in a greenhouse using a non-factorial randomized block design with control, biochar and compost treatments taken from rice straw biomass, empty palm oil bunches, and cow dung, with 3 replications. The parameters measured were pH H2O, C-Organic, N-total, and available P. The results indicate that the provision of biochar and compost can increase the pH of H2O, C-Organic, N-total, and P available in Ultisol soil for 1,2 and 3 months of incubation. Biochar is better at increasing available pH, C-Organic, N-total, and P than compost with the best treatment found in Biochar from cow dung biomass and oil palm empty bunches. Meanwhile, the treatment of cow manure compost was better at increasing pH H2O during incubation time and nutrients in Ultisol soil, followed by compost of empty palm oil bunches and straw.