Benha University

Ola raafat mosleh ahmed

Demonstrator

Faculty of Agriculture Soils and water

Using Biochar and Biogas Manure to Improve Properties of Light Textured Soils

Annals of Agricultural Science, Moshtohor (ASSJM) • 2026
Back
Publication Information
Authors Not Available
Keywords Sandy soil; Soil reclamation; Soil structure; Geometric mean diameter; Mean weight diameter
Journal Annals of Agricultural Science, Moshtohor (ASSJM)
Publisher Annals of Agricultural Science, Moshtohor (ASSJM)
Volume 64
Issue 2
Pages Not Available
publication.type Local
Paper Link Not Available
Supplementary Materials Not Available
Abstract
Land reclamation in Egypt faces critical challenges due to rapid population growth and the limited area of fertile Nile Valley soils, with light-textured soils (sand and loamy sand) suffering from poor structure and low water retention. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of biochar, biogas manure, and their 1:1 combination, applied at 15 g kg⁻¹, in improving soil properties and Sudan grass (Sorghum bicolor, Moench, cv. Giza 2)productivity .A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted in 2024 using two soils: sand (S1) and loamy sand (S2). Treatments were : Control (A0), biochar(A1), A2=biogas manure, A3=combined of biochar and biogas manure (1:1). We measured soil physical properties such as saturation, available water, Mean Weight Diameter, Geometric Mean Diameter), chemical properties (pH, EC, SAR, ESP), and plant parameters (shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, water-use efficiency). All amendments significantly improved soil properties compared to control. Biochar alone (A1) increased available water by 43.1% in sand and 39.6% in loamy sand. The combined treatment (A3) in loamy sand (S2) was most effective, increasing (MWD) from 0.45 to 6.76 mm, (GMD) from 0.37 to 6.76 mm, and shoot fresh weight from 22.29 to 38.19 g pot⁻¹, representing a 71.3% increase over control. Water-use efficiency increased from 1.49 in untreated sand to 6.14 Mg m-3 under the compined treatment in loamy sand.

جميع الحقوق محفوظة © 2026 جامعة بنها - دليل أعضاء هيئة التدريس