Publication date: 1 November 2017
Source:Geoderma, Volume 305
Author(s): L. Moragues-Saitua, A. Arias-González, N. Gartzia-Bengoetxea
The application to soils of energy co-products derived from forest biomass (biochar [BC] and wood ash [WA]) with the aim of regulating soil hydraulic conductivity and water availability, thereby reducing soil erosion and increasing resilience to drought, has been suggested as a strategy for climate change mitigation and adaptation. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of BC and WA application on the hydraulic properties of contrasting afforested soils in the Atlantic region of the Iberian Peninsula. Two experimental sites were established on acidic soils: site ES-K was established on a loamy soil (SOC% 3.9; pH: 4.8) and site ES-O on a sandy loam soil (SOC% 10.8; pH: 3.8). Biochar derived from Miscanthus sp. (pyrolysed at 450s ), porosity and aggregate size distribution were determined and soil water retention curves (SWRCs) constructed. In ES-K, application of N-enriched WA (4.5s due to pore-clogging. In ES-O, changes were observed in the soil structure after application of BC (20
Source:Geoderma, Volume 305
Author(s): L. Moragues-Saitua, A. Arias-González, N. Gartzia-Bengoetxea
