Effect of biochar on soil characteristics and production of Zea corn crop

Abstract

The research proposes to efficiently use these wastes by transforming them into biochar that gradually releases nutrients for plant nutrition and facilitating the movement of water and air thanks to its micropores, turning it into a potential amendment to improve soil fertility. The objective was to evaluate the effect of biochar produced in semi-industrial ovens on soil characteristics and Zea mays crop production. It is an applied, experimental research, with a population and sample of 36 corn plants, 4 plants per experimental unit. The soil sample, consisting of 1 kg, with a total population of 8 kg per experimental unit. The biochar doses were 0, 15 and 30 g/plant, evaluated with a completely randomized block design. The results showed that the biochar produced in semi-industrial ovens with cocoa branches has a high concentration of nutritional elements and a very alkaline reaction (pH=9.63). The concentration of potassium, calcium and magnesium in the soil is high, improving the cation exchange capacity. The application of biochar reduces the concentration of salts, and with a dose of 15 t.ha-1, it significantly increases the pH by 0.6 units in the soil, favoring the growth of corn plants.