Journal of
Dryland Agriculture

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CENTRE FOR DRYLAND AGRICULTURE, BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO
  • Abbreviation: J. Dryland Agric.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2476-8650
  • DOI: 10.5897/JODA
  • Start Year: 2015
  • Published Articles: 48

Full Length Research Paper

Initial greenhouse observations on use of coal char as a soil amendment: Influences on plant growth and soil water holding capacity

Resham B. Thapa
  • Resham B. Thapa
  • Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Wyoming, 1000E. University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, United States
  • Google Scholar
Sean X. Tang
  • Sean X. Tang
  • Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering, University of Wyoming, 1000E. University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, United States
  • Google Scholar
Peter D. Stah
  • Peter D. Stah
  • Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Wyoming, 1000E. University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, United States
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 12 February 2024
  •  Accepted: 14 April 2024
  •  Published: 31 May 2024

Abstract

A greenhouse study was conducted to begin testing the use of coal char (CC) as a soil amendment. CC is a solid, porous activated carbon material resulting from high-temperature pyrolysis of coal. The objectives of this preliminary trial were to evaluate the impacts of different concentrations of CC added to the soil (0% (control), 1, 5, and 10% (v/v)) on plant biomass yield and soil water holding capacity (WHC). The study was designed with ten replications using alfalfa as the test plant in two different soils: Uncultivated rangeland soil and cultivated agricultural soil. The application of 5% CC led to a significant increase (p < 0.05) in alfalfa mean dry biomass production of 1.54 ± 0.31 g in agricultural soil and 1.85 ± 0.25 g in rangeland soil compared to 1.05 ± 0.22 g and 1.20 ± 0.27 g mean biomass production in the controls of the respective soils. The growth of alfalfa plants was not significantly affected, positively or negatively, in any other treatments. A significant increase (p < 0.05) in soil WHC was observed at 5 and 10% CC concentrations in both soils compared to their respective controls. Therefore, adding coal char at optimal rates may increase plant growth and soil WHC in dryland soils.
 
Key words: Coal char, plant growth, soil water holding capacity, soil amendment, alfalfa