Evaluation of Physicochemical Parameters in Sandy Soils After Applying Biochar as an Organic Amendment

Abstract

Sandy soils are not suitable for agriculture because they do not retain nutrients, and water drains quickly. The biochar applied to these soils provides nutrients, improves their fertility, and favors crop yields. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the effect of the application of pine biochar and the pruning of green areas obtained by slow pyrolysis on the physicochemical attributes of sandy soil. For this purpose, a greenhouse experiment was conducted in fifteen pots randomly divided into three groups (five replicas) of treatment depending on the dose of biochar: 0% (0 g/pot, T1 control treatment), 10% (100 g/pot, T2), and 25% (250 g/pot, T3) calculated according to the volume of the soil. Likewise, 05 seeds of turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa) were placed in each pot, where their germination and growth were monitored. Application of biochar reported an increase in organic matter, porosity, pH, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, NO3-, K, and Mg (without significant differences) and a reduction in bulk density, P, and Ca (without significant differences). These behaviors were higher in T3, followed by T2, compared to T1. Similarly, T3 (68%, 7.5 ± 0.9 cm) showed a higher number of turnip germinations and growth compared to T2 (48%, 7 ± 0.6 cm) and T1 (28% 6 ± 0.4 cm). The biochar applied improved the attributes of the sandy soil, strengthening it against possible erosion and promoting the preservation of terrestrial ecosystems.