Effects of Woody Compost and Biochar Amendments on Biochemical Properties of the Wind Erosion Afflicted a Calcareous and Alkaline Sandy Clay Loam Soil

Abstract

ABSTRACT Calcareous and sandy soils generally have soil fertility problems, and these problems have been revealed to be improved by applying compost and biochar produced from the distinct biomass. However, comparing the effects of compost and biochar originating from the same biomass on soil fertility are still not clearly explained. The comparing impacts of compost and biochar both made from the same biomass on soil fertility status in a wind erosion afflicted calcareous and alkaline sandy clay loam (SCL) soil, were explored using a pot experiment. Compost and biochar were produced from a pioneering Oleaster (Oleaster Angustifolia L.) tree through the windrow composting method and pyrolysis process at 450 °C, respectively. The SCL soil used was treated with compost and biochar at rates of 0%, 1%, 2%, and 4% by weight and thereafter incubated for 2 months. The trial layout was in line with a completely randomized plot design with four replicates. Pursuant to the experimental results, the addition of compost and biochar considerably enriched soil fertility by enhancing soil biochemical properties of SCL soil. SCL soil treated with compost yielded the highest available phosphorous (AP), organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), NH4 +-N, NO3-N, active carbon (AC), potential mineralizable nitrogen (PMN), soil microbial respiration (SMR), electrical conductivity (EC), CaCO3, extractable cations (Mg, K, Ca, and Na), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and available micronutrients (Mn, Fe, and Zn), which were significantly higher (P < .001) than the SCL soil amended with biochar, suggesting the recalcitrance of biochar on microbial activities. Furthermore, available micronutrients (Mn, Fe, and Zn) were significantly decreased in SCL soil amended with biochar compared with compost amended SCL soil, indicating the sorption potential of biochar. It was concluded that applying Oleaster tree compost is more effective than biochar in improving soil fertility. However, the effects of biochar on carbon sequestration and the findings of this study need to be proven under field demonstration for more conclusive results prior to recommending farmers to apply either compost or biochar in soil management practices.