Biochar from farm wastes as potential soil amendment for coconut plantations:immediate effects on soil properties and soil biota

Abstract

In the verge finding a sustainable solution to improve the fertility status of coconut growing soils of Sri Lanka, application of Biochar as a soil conditioner/soil amendment to improve low fertile soils is identified as a potential solution. The biochar for this research is produced from farm based waste materials using farmer-scale level biochar producing technique (Low-cost methods, suitable to be adopted by farmers), and is applied as an organic amendment for coconut land (Field Trial) along with the recommended chemical fertilizers. This poster presents the immediate effects (2 months after the application of biochar) of application of biochar on soil available nutrients, and soil microbial community structure (using PLFA). The research is still being continued, however, the information gathered so far is useful to initiative communication on the subject.