The Effectiveness of Biochar on Soil pH and Sorption Capacity of Luvisol after the 1st and 9th Year of Application
The Effectiveness of Biochar on Soil pH and Sorption Capacity of Luvisol after the 1st and 9th Year of Application
PDFAuthors: Vladimír Šimanský and Martin Juriga
Volume/Issue: Volume 28: Issue 1
Published online: 19 May 2025
Pages: 83 - 88
Abstract
Recent research indicates that biochar applied to soil brings several positive benefits for farmers. However, there is still lack of data on how biochar behaves in the soil environment over extended periods, beyond just a few years. This study evaluated the effectiveness of two biochar rates (B0 – control; B10 – 10 t.ha−1; and B20 – 20 t.ha−1) on changes in soil pH and soil sorption capacity after 1st and 9th year of application to silt loam Haplic Luvisol (experimental base of SUA in Nitra, Dolná Malanta, Slovakia). The results indicate a decreasing effect on soil pH over time since the application of biochar. However, the higher rate significantly increased soil pH even after 9th year of application. Similarly, the effectiveness of biochar on soil sorption capacity decreased over time.
Keywords: basic cations, base saturation, biochar, cation exchange capacity, soil pH
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