BIOCHAR-ENHANCED CARBON SEQUESTRATION FOR CLIMATE-RESILIENT SOIL RESTORATION

Abstract

Biochar has proven to be an eco-friendly soil amendment, that can improve soil quality and increase long-term carbon sequestration. A total of 100 experimental soil samples were used to assess the effect of four biochar application levels (0%, 2%, 5% and 10%) on selected soil physical and chemical properties. Soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, moisture content, bulk density and water-holding capacity were measured after the conventional laboratory procedures. Descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation analysis and a graphical approach was used for statistical interpretation. Compared to other treatments, biochar amendments significantly increased soil organic carbon and water-holding capacity as the biochar rate increased (p < 0.001). Bulk density decreased successively showing better soil structure. Pearson correlation revealed that there was a very high positive correlation between the biochar application and soil organic carbon (r = 0.979). The results indicate that the use of biochar has a strong impact on carbon sequestration of soil, and also improving the soil physical properties, which can be used as a sustainable soil restoration strategy in a climate-resilient manner.