Effects of Rice Straw and Dicer Biochars on Chemical Characteristics of Clay-Loam, Saline-Sodic Soil

Due to the insufficient suitable agricultural land and the large extent of saline-sodic soil across the world, the reclamation of the salt affected soils is necessary. Studies indicate that the addition of biochars to the soils improves their qualities, increases crop yield, and reduces salinity stresses. In the present study, the effects of adding various biochars on some chemical characteristics, including the concentration of soluble cations and anions of saline-sodic soil with clay-loam texture, which was taken from the Kafoun region in Mazandaran province, were investigated. Several kinds of simple and acidic biochars were produced from agricultural residues (rice straw) and wood factory waste (dicer) at 300 ° C and added to saline-sodic soil in three levels 0, (2.5, and 5%). The results showed that the rice straw biochar reduced the soil pH more than the biochar obtained from dicer. It was also understood that dicer biochar reduced the amount of soil EC, SAR, soluble sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride. However, the rice straw biochar, acidic rice straw biochar, and acidic dicer biochar increased the amounts of those criteria and elements. Ultimately, it can be concluded that only the dicer biochar should be added to saline- sodic soil, in the absence of leaching and drainage.