Improvement of physical, chemical, and biological properties of aridisol from Botswana by the incorporation of torrefied biomass.

ABSTRACT: Effective use of agricultural residual biomass may be beneficial for both local and global ecosystems. Recently, biochar has received attention as a soil enhancer, and its effects on plant growth and soil microbiota have been investigated. However, there is little information on how the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil amended with biochar are affected. In this study, we evaluated the effects of the incorporation of torrefied plant biomass on physical and structural properties, elemental profiles, initial plant growth, and metabolic and microbial dynamics in aridisol from Botswana. Hemicellulose in the biomass was degraded while cellulose and lignin were not, owing to the relatively low-temperature treatment in the torrefaction preparation. Water retentivity and minera

SUBMITTER: Ogura T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4911548 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature