Ameliorative Effect of Biochar Application on Selected Chemical Properties of Acidic Soil

Abstract

This research was conducted at the screenhouse of Biological Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria, to determine the ameliorative effect of biochar application on selected chemical properties of acidic soil. The acidic soil used for the experiment was collected from Centre for Agricultural and Pastoral Research (CAPAR), Dabagi, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto while the biochar used was obtained from Labana Rice Mill, Brinin-Kebbi, Kebbi State. The biochar was applied at rate of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 t/ha. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) and replicated three times. Data were collected on some soil chemical properties and were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and significant means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at 5% level of significance. The results showed that successive increment in biochar rates virtually increased all the soil chemical properties tested for, with 70 t/ha of biochar rate significantly (p≤0.05) higher than the other biochar rates. A field trial of long term experiment with lower doses of biochar rates supplemented with inorganic fertilizer should be conducted in order to have more feasible doses of biochar in the remediation of acidic soil.

Keywords

• acidic soil
• biochar
• chemical properties
• remediation
• screenhouse