Temperature and Moisture of Biochar Amended Soils in Irrigated Maize.

Amending soils with biochar can influence water and energy balances, potentially altering both soil temperature and moisture regimes. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of biochar on soil temperature and water content in maize under three irrigation regimes. Soils were amended one time with 30 T/ha with a pine-wood derived biochar and are compared to an un-amended control soil. Irrigation treatments included well-watered, drought (50% of well-watered), and controlled deficit irrigation. Decagon EC-5 soil water content sensors were installed. Soil temperature was measured with a single Decagon 5TM sensor inserted manually in each plot. Biochar soils retained water after precipitation or irrigation longer than un-amended soils and maintained a moderately higher average water content. Soil temperature was generally similar between amended and un-amended soils. On a few days, biochar soils were cooler than the un-amended soils. Maize stand, height, biomass and grain yields will be compared.