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| DOI：10.13522/j.cnki.ggps.2020091 |
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| The Effect of Biochar Amendment on Soil Moisture: A Review |
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SUN Shuchen, ZHAO Xin, ZHAI Sheng, TIAN Xiaofei, LI Jianbao, ZHU Chao, ZHENG Yunzhu
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1. School of Environment and Planning, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; 2. School of Public Administration, Nanjing University of Finance & Economics, Nanjing 210023, China; 3. Human Resources Department, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China
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| Abstract: |
| Soil water is essential for plants to survive and the subsequent growth and development. It determines not only the types of biomes at catchment and continental scales, but also controls the yield and quality of crops at plot and regional scales. Notwithstanding this, water shortage has become a limiting factor in developing sustainable agriculture in many arid and semi-arid regions. Amending soil with biochar could play an important role in improving soil moisture, enhancing soil fertility and promoting crop growth and yield, because of its unique interior structure and fertility. Biochar could be manufactured from different organic materials including straw, trucks or branches of crops, or dung and domestic wastes under different temperatures. Amending soil with biochar to improve soil quality and decontaminate soil has attracted increased attention over the past decades. However, how maternal nature of the biochar and its application rate affect soil quality is an issue remaining obscure. The effects of adding biochar on change in soil water, soil hydraulic properties, evapotranspiration, water use efficiency, crop growth and yield are still poorly understood, limiting extensive application of biochar in agriculture production and soil remediation. In this paper we review the response of soil water, soil hydraulic properties, evapotranspiration and water use efficiency to biochar application, with a view to help improve biochar application and agriculture production. The review covers the types and amounts of biochar suitable for different soil types and crops, the efficacy of biochar in improving water use efficiency of crops, as well as its long-term impact on eco-hydrological processes in arid and semi-arid regions, especially in ecologically fragile areas. This review has implications in helping improve our understanding of the effects of biochar on soil moisture and provide references for effectively utilizing water and fertilizer in food production, vegetation restoration and construction of ecological and environmental systems. |
| Key words: biochar; soil hydraulic properties; soil moisture; water use efficiency; evapotranspiration |
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