Revitalizing the Biochemical Soil Properties of Degraded Coastal Soil Using Prosopis juliflora Biochar
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Date
2023-10-22
Authors
Alkharabsheh, Hiba M.
Mwadalu, Riziki
Mochoge, Benson
Danga, Benjamin
Raza, Muhammad Ali
Seleiman, Mahmoud F.
Khan, Naeem
Gitari, Harun
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
Biochar is an effective soil amendment with capabilities of boosting carbon sequestration and enhancing soil fertility, thus enhancing plant growth and productivity. While numerous studies have documented the positive effects of biochar on improving soil properties, a number of studies have reported conflicting results. Therefore, the current study was conducted to evaluate the impact of Prosopisjuliflora biochar (0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 t ha−1) on soil biochemical properties in Coastal Kenya to ascertain biochar’s potential for soil fertility improvement. A randomized complete block design was used for setting up the experiment with three replicates, while Casuarina equisetifolia L. was planted as the test crop. Soil sampling for nutrient analysis was conducted quarterly for 12 months to assess nutrient dynamics under different biochar rates in the current study. Compared to soil untreated with Prosopis juliflora biochar, the results showed that there was a significant increase in soil pH by 21% following biochar utilization at the rate of 7.5 t ha−1. Total nitrogen was increased by 32% after the biochar application, whereas the total organic carbon was increased by four folds in comparison to biochar-untreated soil. Available phosphorus was increased by 264% following biochar application in comparison to the control treatment. In addition, the application of biochar resulted in an increment in the soil exchangeable cations (Ca2+, K+, Mg2+) across the assessment periods. Soil cation exchange capacity (CEC), bacteria and fungi were enhanced by 95, 33 and 48%, respectively,followingbiocharapplicationat7.5tha−1 incomparisontountreatedsoil. Inconclusion, these results strongly suggest improvement of soil biochemical properties following Prosopisjuliflora biochar application, thus providing potential for soil fertility improvement in regions such as the one in the study.
Description
Article
Keywords
biochar, biochemical properties, cation exchange capacity, nutrients, sub-Saharan Africa
Citation
Alkharabsheh, H.M.; Mwadalu, R.; Mochoge, B.; Danga, B.; Raza, M.A.; Seleiman, M.F.; Khan, N.; Gitari, H. Revitalizing the Biochemical Soil Properties of Degraded Coastal Soil Using Prosopis juliflora Biochar. Life 2023, 13, 2098. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13102098