Amelioration of dry land suboptimal using biochar and compost to improve soil physical properties and soybean yield

Agroecotechnology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Jambi University

^* Corresponding author: endriani@unja.ac.id

Abstract

The primary constraint of suboptimal soils under wet tropical regions, besides their low pH, is their low soil organic matter (SOM) content. This research aimed to improve the soil properties of dry land suboptimal and the yield of soybeans by applying biochar and compost. This research was carried out to investigate the effects of coconut shell biochar (B) and Leucaena compost (C) applied alone (at a rate of 10 ton.ha^-1) or in combination (5 B: 10 C; 10 B: 15 C each. thus 10 ¹ B: 10 C) on soil physicochemical properties, growth, and yield of Soybean on Ultisols in Jambi Province. Biochar and compost applied alone or in combination significantly increased soil organic matter (SOM), total porosity (TP), and Aeration Pore (AP); decreased bulk density (BD) and low drainage pore (LDP). Also, combined application and single application biochar or compost to impact beneficially on soil water retention and available water (AW). Additionally, combined application and single application biochar or compost additions increased components of yield as a number of pods of soybean. The study showed that biochar applied alone or in combination with compost offers the potential to enhance soil quality and improve soybean yield.