TY - JOUR
T1 - Short-Term Alteration of Soil Physicochemical Characteristics Induced by Biochar Application on a Ferric Acrisol
AU - Torgbenu, Jochebed Kaki
AU - Boateng, Godfred
AU - Kwarteng, Felix Osei
AU - Mensah, Stephen Ardey
AU - Sabi, Edward Benjamin
AU - Amoatey, Peace Korshiwor
AU - Ofori, Peter Amoako
AU - Owusu-Nketia, Stella
AU - Simpson, Anthony Raphael
AU - Dorvlo, Selorm Yaotse
AU - Essien, Emmanuel
AU - Asenso, Evans
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2025 Jochebed Kaki Torgbenu et al. Scientifica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - Biochar (incinerated organic waste by-product) has shown promise in enhancing soil fertility and agricultural productivity. Soil quality plays an essential role in the success of agricultural activities, with soil enhancement being crucial for optimizing crop yields and fostering soil fertility. An experiment with different biochar types was arranged in a randomized complete block design. The biochar [coconut husk (CH) biochar and sugarcane bagasse (SB) biochar] was evenly hand mixed with the soil after plowing to 30 cm depth. A one-time application of biochar was done. There was a total of six treatments: SB biochar, SB biochar plus nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) (SB + NPK), CH biochar, CH biochar plus NPK (CB + NPK), NPK, and control (CT), with three replicates for each treatment. The area of each plot was 3 m2 (3 m × 1 m) to assess the effects of biochar application on the soil physical and chemical characteristics of Ferric Acrisol with cabbage (Fortune F1 variety) as a test crop in Ghana. Soil bulk density, porosity, pH, organic carbon (OC), available N, total P, available K, available calcium (Ca), electrical conductivity (EC), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were determined. CH and SB addition improved soil bulk density (1.21 g·cm−3 and 1.29 g·cm−3), leading to a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in the total porosity (54.29% and 51.10%), respectively, at 0–30 cm soil depth compared to the presoil condition (1.5 g·cm−3). Additionally, CH and SB significantly (p < 0.05) impacted the soil chemical characteristics and fertility of the tested soil. The results showed that biochar application is crucial for C sequestration, reduction in pH (SB-7.36 and CH-7.44 compared to the presoil condition (4.93) at 0–30 cm soil depth), and soil fertility enhancement. Applying biochar to soils can therefore be considered a potential solution to improve soil fertility for sustainable crop production.
AB - Biochar (incinerated organic waste by-product) has shown promise in enhancing soil fertility and agricultural productivity. Soil quality plays an essential role in the success of agricultural activities, with soil enhancement being crucial for optimizing crop yields and fostering soil fertility. An experiment with different biochar types was arranged in a randomized complete block design. The biochar [coconut husk (CH) biochar and sugarcane bagasse (SB) biochar] was evenly hand mixed with the soil after plowing to 30 cm depth. A one-time application of biochar was done. There was a total of six treatments: SB biochar, SB biochar plus nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) (SB + NPK), CH biochar, CH biochar plus NPK (CB + NPK), NPK, and control (CT), with three replicates for each treatment. The area of each plot was 3 m2 (3 m × 1 m) to assess the effects of biochar application on the soil physical and chemical characteristics of Ferric Acrisol with cabbage (Fortune F1 variety) as a test crop in Ghana. Soil bulk density, porosity, pH, organic carbon (OC), available N, total P, available K, available calcium (Ca), electrical conductivity (EC), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were determined. CH and SB addition improved soil bulk density (1.21 g·cm−3 and 1.29 g·cm−3), leading to a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in the total porosity (54.29% and 51.10%), respectively, at 0–30 cm soil depth compared to the presoil condition (1.5 g·cm−3). Additionally, CH and SB significantly (p < 0.05) impacted the soil chemical characteristics and fertility of the tested soil. The results showed that biochar application is crucial for C sequestration, reduction in pH (SB-7.36 and CH-7.44 compared to the presoil condition (4.93) at 0–30 cm soil depth), and soil fertility enhancement. Applying biochar to soils can therefore be considered a potential solution to improve soil fertility for sustainable crop production.
KW - C sequestration
KW - biochar
KW - carbon-based matter
KW - coconut husk biochar
KW - soil health and quality
KW - sugarcane bagasse biochar
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105000866029
U2 - 10.1155/sci5/7743251
DO - 10.1155/sci5/7743251
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105000866029
SN - 2090-908X
VL - 2025
JO - Scientifica
JF - Scientifica
IS - 1
M1 - 7743251
ER -
