Water holding capacity of soil amended with bamboo and sugarcane trash biochar

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of locally available bamboo (Arundinaria
alpina) and sugarcane trash (Saccharum officinarum Linn) biomass feedstock in East Africa
to produce biochar for improving soil water holding capacity. A randomized complete block
design with split-split plot arrangement was used with biomass feedstock as the main plot
factor, pyrolysis temperature (350OC,450OC, and 550OC) as sub plot factor, and biochar
application rate (2, 5, and 7 wt %) as the sub-sub plot factor while controlling for drainage
time with four replications. The results showed that water holding capacity of sandy loam
soil could be increased by up to 124 % when biochar produced at 550OC was applied at 5-7
wt %. Therefore, application of biochar, from locally sourced biomass, has the potential to
promote food production and reduce the high toll of undernourishment in East Africa by better
retention of irrigation and rain water.