Combination of Biochar and Poultry Litter Impact On Soil Properties and Corn Yield.

Biochar, a by-product of a thermochemical process called pyrolysis, which involves burning of any agricultural and animal waste (biomass) under high temperature and absence of oxygen.  It is assumed that since biochar is very high in aromatic carbon, which is known to persist in soil environment for very long time. Biochar has a porous physical nature that can be used by microorganisms; also as soil conditioner, it improves soil quality parameters such as soil compaction, infiltration rate, water holding capacity, nutrient exchange capacity (CEC), aggregation and aggregate stability, organic carbon build up, soil reaction (pH), and soil microbial ecology. In this process, soil acts as an enormous C sink, which could significantly contribute to the reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere.