(2022) Science of the Total Environment_Enhancement of soil physical properties and soil water retention with biochar-based soil amendments

Kang M.W., Yibeltal M., Kim Y.H., Oh S.J., Lee J.C., Kwon E.E., Lee S.S.

(Elsevier B.V.) Science of the Total Environment ISSN: 489697 Vol.836 Issue. Article No.155746 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155746

The soil physical properties are deteriorating due to changing rainfall patterns and intensities, as well as climate change-induced temperature fluctuations. Pot experiments were carried out to examine the impacts of synthesized soil amendments on soil water retention and plant growth. Soil amendments (biochar, polyacrylamide (PAM), and moringa) were used at different rates (0 (control), 2.1, 4.2, and 8.3 g kg⁻¹) to improve the physical properties of the soil. As a result of soil amendment application, it was found that the mean weight diameter of soil aggregate increased by 188% during the 8.3 g kg⁻¹ treatment, forming stable soil particles. Soil water retention improved by up to 128.9% during the 8.3 g kg⁻¹ treatment, and it was analyzed that it was due to the high surface area of biochar, porosity, and high molecular weight of PAM. Pellet treatment increased all plant growth parameters (height, stem diameter, leaf number, and fresh and dry weight) for both beans and maize. The dry weight of beans (C₃ plant) and maize (C₄ plant) increased by 92.9 and 146.4%, respectively in an 8.3 g kg⁻¹ pot. The soil physical condition was stabilized by the high carbon content of biochar and the improvement of soil coagulation between PAM and moringa. This had a positive effect on the C₄ plant. The findings of this study indicate that if the soil amendments are properly mixed and applied based, they will improve soil stability and plant productivity. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (No. 2021R1A2C1094047 ).