Coal char effects on soil chemical properties and maize yields in semi‐arid region

Soil amendments with high carbon (C) content can be effective in semi-arid regions where soils are characterized by low C. A field study was conducted 2016–2018 to evaluate the effect of char on soil chemical properties and irrigated maize (Zea mays L.) yields sandy loam fertilized urea or composted manure. Carbon-rich used a product coal combustion residue from local factory western Nebraska. The experiment arranged split-plot randomized complete block design four replications (0, 6.7, 13.4, 20.1, 26.8 Mg C ha−1) as main N treatment 90, 180, 270 kg urea-N ha−1 33.6 67.2 manure) subplot factors. handheld spectral sensor determine normalized difference red edge (NDRE) at growth stages (V6, V8, V10, R1) 2017 2018. After 2 yr, increased Fe, reduced pH lower rates, K higher rates top 20 cm but did not affect crop yields. Char applied ≥13.4 organic ≥8% manure P compared control. There strong correlation NDRE grain V8 V10. This found no adverse properties. However, more site-specific research is needed before regular amendment regions.