Soil Quality Improvement of Acidic Soil and Its Effects on The Growth and Yield of Maize

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2018 in the subject Geography / Earth Science - Geology, Mineralogy, Soil Science, grade: 2,5, , course: Soil Science, language: English, abstract: The main objective of this study is to use biochar derived from rice mill waste to ameliorate acidic soil and its effect on the growth and yield of maize.

Soil quality is the ability of a soil to perform functions that are essential to plant growth and the environment. It is a reflection of how well a soil performs the functions of maintaining biodiversity and productivity. Soil quality improvement using biochar not only increases soil pH level but also affect the availability of other minerals and nutrients found in the soil. To improve the quality of an acidic soil with respect to pH, the application of biochar as an ameliorant to acidic soils is seldom. It is affordable and cost effective making it an alternative.