Guan et al. (2024): Acidified biochar one-off application for saline-alkali soil improvement: A three-year field trial evaluating the persistence of effects
Ronghao Guan, Yi Li, Yonglin Jia, Fuchang Jiang, Liwei Li IN: Industrial Crops and Products, 222, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2024.119972
Native biochar is a promising soil amendment, but its high alkalinity limits its use in saline-alkali lands. Acidified biochar, with a lower pH, is theoretically more suitable. This study aims to evaluate the persistence of effects of acidified biochar one-off application on soil particle size distribution, physicochemical properties, water retention, temperature regulation, and evaporation conditions of saline-alkali soil, thereby verifying its feasibility and exploring the optimal application range. The authors conducted a three-year cotton field experiment using palm fruit branch biochar as the raw material, acidified with ferrous sulfate, which involved four biochar applications (0, 10, 20, and 30 t ha−1) and four irrigation quotas (60 %, 80 %, 100 % and 120 % ETc).