Effect of Poultry Manure Derived Biochars at Different Temperatures on Chemical Properties of a Calcareous Soil

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of poultry manure (PM) and its derived biochars on chemical properties of a sample calcareous soil. Poultry manure and its derived biochars at 200(B200), 300(B300) and 400(B400)°C were incorporated with 400 g of soil at 2% level (w/w) and incubated for 150 days. Some chemical properties of soil and bio-availability of some nutritional ingredients such as phosphorous, potassium, iron, manganese, zinc and copper were determined at different times of incubation. Soil nutrients availability, organic carbon (OC), electrical conductivity (EC) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) increased by addition of all these organic substances. Biochars prepared at higher temperatures were more effective in increasing soil OC and its durability. Addition of PM and B200 decreased soil pH, whereas B400 increased it. Although highest soil EC was observed in B300 and B400 treated samples in the early stages of incubation, the rate of increasing in soil EC was higher at PM and B200 treated samples. In general, it was concluded that biochar prepared at 300°C had the highest effect on availability of nutrients and their durability in the soil.