Effect of Biochar on Water Conservation and Growth of Soilless Container Grown Green Velvet Boxwood and Pinky Winky Hydrangea.

Container plants require irrigation on a regular basis. The amount and frequency of water applied by irrigation is adjusted to offset plant water leaching. A carbon rich byproduct of pyrolysis, known as biochar, can be used as soil conditioner in agriculture to enhance water retention. This subsequently could reduce water and nutrient leaching. Also soil moisture sensor automated irrigation is a practical way for monitoring soil moisture by irrigating only as the amount of water required for normal plant growth and reduce wastage of irrigation water due to excess application. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of one form of biochar and composted biochar on water holding capacity and release in container substrate of Green Velvet boxwood and Pinky Winky hydrangea. Pots filled with pine bark and amended with two rates of 10% and 25% by volume of biochar and composted biochar. This suggests that precision irrigation system reduced the water applied to high-value crops. In addition biochar and composted biochar enhance soil physiochemical properties which contribute to affect substrate moisture retention and crop growth index. In general biochar impacts depend on the ecosystem, type of biochar employed and pyrolysis conditions.