The Potential of Biochar Made from Agricultural Residues to Increase Soil Fertility and Microbial Activity: Impacts on Soils with Varying Sand Content

Different types of soil respond variably to biochar amendment. Soil structure and fertility are properties which strongly affect the impacts on microbial activity. A pot experiment with lettuce was conducted verify whether amendment is more beneficial in sandy than clay soil. The nutrient content (carbon nitrogen), biomass carbon, respiration, metabolic quotient, plant yield were determined. treatments prepared by mixing silty loam (Haplic Luvisol) a quartz sand ratios 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100% sand; same six amended (12 total). carbon nitrogen, respiration indirectly dependent descending ratio, whereas quotient increased ascending ratio. biochar’s effects positive for total sand-rich treatments. maximum biochar-derived benefit crop found + treatment, exhibited 24-fold (AGB) 11-fold (root biomass) increases compared unamended treatment. application coarse lower proven be favorable.