Abstract

In the present investigation, a biochar was produced from prosopis wood, characterized and its effect on physical properties of rice soil under different moisture conditions viz., intermittent wetting and drying and continuous submergence were examined. Examination of soil core samples (undisturbed) collected from rice field showed marked reduction in soil bulk density (from 1.23 to 1.13 Mg m-3) due to biochar application. The porespace was also increased, when biochar was applied along with vermicompost. There was significant improvement in the hydraulic conductivity (from 6.5 to 18.5 cm h-1) in rice soil due to biochar application. The application of biochar (5 t ha-1) along with vermicompost (5 t ha-1) and NPK fertilizer in soil recorded higher hydraulic conductivity. The structural indices viz., stability index, aggregate stability, mean weight diameter and structural coefficient of rice soil were appreciably improved by the application of biochar.

Keywords: biochar, rice soil, hydraulic conductivity, structural indices