The effect of soil compaction under different rates of biochar on some physicaland hydrodynamical soil characteristics and in soybean (Glycine Max L.) productivity

Abstract

Biochar is proven to enhance soil fertility and increase crop productivity. Given that the influence of biochar on soil compaction remains unclear, selected physico-hydrodynamical properties of soil amended with wood-derived biochar will be assessed. Thus, agricultural land application of organic wastes, such as biochar, could alter soil properties to offset the degradation effects. This research would shed some light on the effect of the use of heavy agricultural machinery on compaction of the soil-biochar matrix which has yet to be studied in detail. A field experiment will be carried out over two consecutive seasons on a Sandy-loam soil in a completely randomized block design, which includes three rates of biochar (0,5,10%) and three levels of compaction (0, 199.04, 330 Kpa) and each treatment has three replicates. Biochar will be produced by pyrolysis from woody residues at 450°C and added to soil with mineral fertilizers before 40 days of cultivation. The compaction procedure will be performed at the plastic limit with a tractor and a water trailer hanging on it. The weight can be controlled on the axle of the rear wheels of the trailer, where three different loads of the trailer will be used, and the weight of the trailer will be calculated. Trial plots will be prepared with an area of 5 m2 per plot (2.5 m length* 2 m width) after that soybean seeds will manually be implanted on lines so that the distance between the lines is 50 cm, and 18cm between plants..