10.1186/2251-6832-4-44

Impact of biochar on the water holding capacity of loamy sand soil

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  • Ok-Youn Yu*1,
  • Brian Raichle1,
  • Sam Sink2,
  1. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, 28608, US
  2. Strata Solar, Chapel Hill, NC, 27517, US
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Published in Issue 2013-12-17

How to Cite

Yu, O.-Y., Raichle, B., & Sink, S. (2013). Impact of biochar on the water holding capacity of loamy sand soil. International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering, 4(1 (December 2013). https://doi.org/10.1186/2251-6832-4-44
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Abstract

Abstract With the rise in global population and increased agricultural requirements comes an increasing need for freshwater. Currently, it is estimated that approximately 75% of fresh water consumption is for the growth of agricultural crops, and only 10% to 30% of this water is actually made available to plants. It is widely accepted that farming practices which rely heavily on chemical fertilizers and unsustainable land management practices have led in many regions to infertile sandy soils with reduced water holding capacity and insufficient amounts of organic matter. Combined with increasing global population, the need to better manage fresh water use, particularly agricultural usage, is paramount. The use of biochar as a soil amendment has been suggested as a way to increase water holding capacity, but only limited quantitative studies exist in terms of the effectiveness of biochar in increasing a soil's water holding capacity. The main purpose of this study was to determine the effect of woody biochar amendment (yellow pine from pyrolysis at 400°C) on the water holding capacity of loamy sand soil with different mixture rates. Results show a doubling in water holding capacity by mass using a 9% mixture of biochar (equivalent to 195 metric ton/ha), which is an agriculturally relevant concentration. High percentage mixtures of biochar increase water holding capacity dramatically. These results suggest the use of biochar has potential to mitigate drought and increase crop yields in loamy sand soil.

Keywords

  • Biochar,
  • Water holding capacity,
  • Loamy sand soil,
  • Pyrolysis
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