ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Influence of Biochar Application on Reduced
Acidification of Sandy Soil, Increased Cation
Exchange Capacity, and the Content of Available
Forms of K, Mg, and P
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1
University of Agriculture in Krakow, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry, Kraków, Poland
2
University of Agriculture in Krakow, Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Informatics, Kraków, Poland
3
University of Agriculture in Krakow, Institute of Machinery Exploitation, Ergonomics and Production Processes, Kraków, Poland
Submission date: 2017-11-15
Final revision date: 2017-12-26
Acceptance date: 2018-01-02
Online publication date: 2018-08-13
Publication date: 2018-11-20
Corresponding author
Krzysztof Gondek
University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow Krakow, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2019;28(1):103-111
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ABSTRACT
Fertilisation has the greatest impact on soil properties, and they in turn decide on the conversion and
availability of fertilising compounds. The aim of the tests was to evaluate the influence of low-temperature
(300oC) conversion of pig manure and poultry litter on (i) K, Mg, and P contents in biochars and (ii)
reduction of acidification, cation exchange capacity, and availability of K, Mg, and P in sandy soil after
their application. The tests were conducted in laboratory conditions using 0.5%, 1%, and 2% addition of
pig manure, poultry litter, or biochars. Thermal conversion of pig manure and poultry litter increased the
content of total forms of K, Mg, and P in biochars and did not significantly increase the content of these
elements extracted by water. The introduction of organic materials into the soil, in particular biochar,
caused significant reduction in soil acidification and an increase in cation exchange capacity. The contents
of available potassium and magnesium increased together with the increase in dose of pig manure-derived
and poultry litter-derived biochars. No available forms of phosphorus were found in the soil into which
lower (0.5% and 1%) doses of biochar were introduced. Only the highest (2%) dose of biochars and poultry
litter caused the release of available P.