Biochar Amendment Effects on Bermudagrass Growth and Soil Physical Properties.

Biochar produced from the pyrolysis of agricultural waste products could be used as a soil amendment due to its potential to improve soil physical properties. Improving soil properties, such as water infiltration and storage capacity, of marginal soils could increase productivity and contribute to sustainable biomass supply.  The purpose of this study is to quantify the effect of biochar addition to soils on the soil parameters of hydraulic conductivity, water holding capacity, bulk density, porosity, and runoff potential. A field study was initiated near College Station, TX during 2013.  Biochar derived from bio-energy sorghum was added to 3 x 3 m research plots comprised of fine sandy loam soils at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 Mg/ha. These quantities of biochar were surface applied as well as incorporated down to a depth of 15 cm. After bermudagrass establishment was completed in the plots, soil cores were extracted for saturated hydraulic conductivity, bulk density, porosity, and water holding capacity testing. In addition, rainfall, runoff, and sediment loss were measured. Bermudagrass was harvested and biomass production measured in response to biochar application. Bermudagrass emergence as well as growth was influenced by biochar rate and application method. Soil properties were not consistently influenced by the addiction of biochar; no significant trends between application method or rate and saturated hydraulic conductivity were observed in the initial soil testing.