Effect of Biochar Source, Particle Size and Application Rates on Soil Properties and Maize Yield (Zea mays L.) under Sandy Soil Conditions

Abd-Elhamied, A. S.; El-Shiekha, A. M.

doi:10.21608/jssae.2021.153327

Effect of Biochar Source, Particle Size and Application Rates on Soil Properties and Maize Yield (Zea mays L.) under Sandy Soil Conditions

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Damietta University, Damietta 34517, Egypt.

² Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Damietta University, Damietta 34517, Egypt.

10.21608/jssae.2021.153327

Abstract

In Egypt, huge additions of mineral fertilizers are considered a thoughtful issue, so the scientific hypothesis of this study based on application of biochar could improve organic matter contents and reducing nutrients leaching as well as maize performance under sandy soil conditions.Two field experiments were conducted to study soil properties and maize yield (Zea mays L.) in sandy soils amended with different two lignocellulosic-based biochars i.e., Casuarina equisetifoliatree chips (WC) and guava chips (Psidium guajava L.) (GC) which were generated into two particle sizes i.e., large ground (L-ground; 2 – 4 mm) and small ground (S-ground; 0.06 – 0.5 m) and their application rates of 0, 4 and 8 t fed^-1. The obtained results revealed that small ground biochar exhibited elevated soil quality and enhanced plant performance than large ground particle biochars. Better soil quality and enhanced maize growth to GC biochar than WC biochar treatment were recorded. Further, the amount of biochar application had marked influences on maize grain yields thereafter maximum application rate of 8 t fed^-1 showed the greater performance to 4 t fed^-1. While, the highest mean values of available N, K, oxidizable organic carbon (OOC) in soil were noticed at 8 t fed⁻¹treatment with S-ground biochar processed from WC compared with the other treatments. Biochar amendment at 8 t fed⁻¹ caused maximum in soil available P, organic matter, dissolved organic matter (DOC), stover and grain yields, harvest index, protein (%), P uptake by maize grains with S-ground GC biochar compared to the other treatments.

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