The effect of biochar, lime and ash on maize yield in a long-term field trial in a Ultisol in the humid tropics

• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137455
• Publication Date: 2020-02-19T16:46:08Z
• Authors: Sarah E. Hale; Neneng L. Nurida; Jubaedah; Jan Mulder; Erlend Sørmo; Ludovica Silvani; Samuel Abiven; Stephen Joseph; Sarasadat Taherym...; Gerard Cornelissen
• Keywords: Ultisol; Amendment

A multi-season field trial was carried out to investigate the effect of amendment biochar, lime, ash and washed biochar on growth maize. degraded, strongly acidic Ultisol (pHKCl 3.60), with a relatively high exchangeable aluminium content (2.4 cmolc/kg) low calcium (0.99 cmolc/kg), used. Soil treated once at beginning crop monitored over seven planting seasons (PS). All treatments increased maize yield. The average increases were; times for five eight treatment, when compared control across all PS. lime yield were sustained pHKCl significantly (p < 0.05 level) following addition materials. reduced concentration Al3+ 0.05), lowest concentrations treatments. treatment also macronutrients (K, P Mg) greatest extent. Results showed that there clear liming play. better performance despite having highest pH concentration, can be explained by additional K, Mg adds soil. nutrient where added most nutrients. Overall, this work supports fact small scale farmers in Indonesia should produce from their waste agricultural Doing so not only provides an increase productivity, but sequesters carbon resulting best overall environmental benefit.