2014•Applied Mechanics and MaterialsOpen access

Improving Maize Growth by Biochar and Biochar-Based Amendment in Light Sierozem in Ningxia

Dong Li, Lei Chen, Xiao Na Song, Guo Cheng Liu

Abstract

Biochar has been applied in soil amelioration due to its multiple agricultural and environmental benefits. Biochar sample (BC) and biochar-based amendment (AD) were added into a poor quality soil (light sierozem) collected from Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region at the rates of 0%, 1.5%, 3% and 5% (w/w), respectively. Maize (Zea mays) was chosen as a test plant, and the effect of BC and AD on its growth was investigated. The results indicated that the maize biomass increased by 44.4-96.2% and 113.8-187.3% in the soils amended with BC and AD, respectively. Therefore, BC and AD may be used as the poor quality soil amendments.

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Key concepts: Biochar, Amendment, Soil water, Biomass (ecology), Agronomy, Soil quality, Slash-and-char, Environmental science