Turf root enhancement by amendment of Jandakot sands of Western Australia with different rates of biochar
Date
2013
Authors
Khan, N.
Shea, S.
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JOURNAL OF BIOBASED MATERIALS AND BIOENERGY, 2013; 7(6):715-723
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Turf is planted extensively in the Perth metropolitan area on Jandakot sands in Bassendean dunes, which are infertile and have a low nutrient and moisture retention capacity. A field trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of various organic and inorganic soil amendments on Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., cv 'Wintergreen' turf root and Jandakot sands. The effects found for various combination of eucalyptus biochar, Jandakot sands and inorganic fertiliser on turf roots are discussed in this paper. The biochar-soil treatments were prepared with biochar:sand ratios of 25:75, 50:50 and 100:0 by volume; and the biochar-soil-fertiliser treatment with biochar:sand ratio of 50:50 by volume in addition to inorganic fertiliser. The treatments were inserted in soil as vertical cores. Samplings were conducted on the 35th week. Observations and measurements were made up to a depth of 40 cm. Available water in pure biochar was 6.1 times higher than Jandakot sand; and wilting point 3.7 times. Biochar decreased soil bulk density. All the biochar treatments had higher pH (CaCl2) in the cores. The intra-core oxalate extractable Fe was significantly high for 25% and 100% biochar; and also for 50% biochar containing inorganic fertiliser. The root length density was significantly high for 50% and 100% biochar; and also for 50% biochar containing inorganic fertiliser. The root length and count densities in the cores were significantly higher than extra-core zone for the 100% biochar. 100% biochar cores performed better than the cores in other treatments. It may be suggested that biochar can positively influence the infertile Jandakot sands to promote turf root growth.
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Copyright 2013 American Scientific Publishers