Effect of Different Source and Rates of Biochar Application on Selected Physic-Chemical Properties of Acidic Soil in Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Soil acidity is the serious problem in the western Ethiopia. Therefore the aim of this experiment was to study the effect of different source and rates of biochar application on the selected physic chemical properties of acidic soil. The experiment involved factorial combinations of three sources biochar (maize, sesame and soybean) and five rates of biochar (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 t ha⁻¹) laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0–15 cm and the selected physic chemical properties of acidic soil were analyzed by standard laboratory procedure. The result indicated that the maximum mean of soil moisture (4.3) was recorded at 8 t ha⁻¹ of soybean biochar and all soil treated biochar were sandy clay textural class except at sesame source at 10 t ha^-1 results sandy loam. They also maximum Electrical conductivity (0.087), soil pH (<SUB>H2O</SUB>) (6.81), organic carbon (2.96%), organic matter (5.10), total nitrogen (0.25%), Available K⁺ (23.17) Available P (13.96), calcium (8.19) and base saturation percentage (79.53) were recorded from sesame source with 10 tha^-1 rates but the maximum cation exchange capacity (27.18) and potassium (2.38) where recorded at from maize source at 6 t ha^-1rates of biochar while the maximum magnesium and sodium where recorded from the sesame source at 8t ha^-1 rates. The result indicates that the sesame source of biochar application with the rates of 10 t ha^-1 were significantly improved the physical and chemical properties of acidic soil but additional research work were needed regarding to integrated management of soil acidity is different location and different Agro-ecology.