JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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.