Water retention capacity of biochar blended soils

Biochar is a fine-grained and porous form of charcoal that is specifically made for use as a soil amendment and soil conditioner. Biochar helps the soil as soil conditioner, soil amendment and alters pH of soil. These positive benefits help plants for better growth and disease resistance. It is now the subject of academic research which will establish the potential to support reduced fertilizer use, reduced irrigation and increased yields. Present study focused on impact of biochar amount on water retention capacity of biochar blended soil. Biochar was prepared through pyrolysis process. Locally available saw dust and rice husk were collected from local market of Udupi of Karnataka State, India. Various combinations of biochar blended soil and water levels (continuous mode) were used in the study and identified the suitable combination of biochar blended soils to reduce the water evaporation rate/improve the water retention rate. The rate of water evaporation was continuously reduced with time for once addition of water and termed as batch operation of water while the rate of water evaporation was more with time for regular addition of water at intermittent times is termed as continuous operation. Increase in biochar amount will increase the retention of water. Addition of biochar to the soil may retain the water more and reaches to saturation of the evaporation of water. Addition of more biochar will be helpful to retain more amount of water in soil or less evaporation rate.