10/01/2018 / By Zoey Sky
Data from a study published in the European Journal of Agronomy revealed that adding biochar to farm soil in Belgium significantly increased maize/corn (Zea mays) yield. The researchers said that this was because the presence of charcoal helped increase available water content in the soil. The findings implied that charcoal effect on maize yield was at its highest during Belgium’s driest growing season. Unlike controls, the charcoal-enriched soils had higher available water content.
The findings imply that adding historical charcoal to fertile and temperate soils can help increase maize yield, however; it’s possible that this occurs due to the soil’s physical effects instead of its nutritional effects.
Visit Harvest.news to learn more about the benefits of adding biochar to soil and how it can boost maize yield.
Journal Reference:
Kerré B, Willaert B, Cornelis Y, Smolders E. LONG-TERM PRESENCE OF CHARCOAL INCREASES MAIZE YIELD IN BELGIUM DUE TO INCREASED SOIL WATER AVAILABILITY. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY. 2017;91:10–15. DOI: 10.1016/j.eja.2017.09.003
Tagged Under: biochar, Charcoal, corn, crop yield, farming, harvest, maize, Plants, science, soil fertility, soil nutrients, water retention curve, Zea mays