Potential of biochar for minesoil amendment and floristic diversity enhancement at the yongwa quarry site in the eastern region of ghana

Abstract

Background: Reclamation of degraded and mined lands has become paramount due to exploitation of our resources. The study sought to explore the potential of biochar for amending degraded mined soil and stockpiled topsoil and its ability to enhance plant diversity at the Yongwa quarry site in the eastern region of Ghana. Method: Two separate experiments were conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Four treatments were allotted randomly within each block for stockpiled topsoil and amended degraded mined soil experiments and replicated three times. Biochar and poultry manure were applied at 0.002 tons per every 2 m x 2 m plot. However, when applied in combination (biochar and poultry manure), they were applied at 0.001 tons of biochar and 0.001 tons of poultry manure per every 2 m x 2 m plot. Result: The results of the study revealed a generally higher nutrient status and species diversity on the plots with amended soils compared to the control. The highest Shannon index (2.04) was recorded on the combined biochar and poultry manure-amended plots while the lowest was recorded on the control plot (1.08). A similar trend was observed on the degraded mined soil amended plots with the combined biochar and poultry manure-amended soil recording the highest Shannon index (2.32) and effective number of species values (10.15) compared to the other amendment plots.