Improving Maize Growth by Biochar and Biochar-Based Amendment in Light Sierozem in Ningxia

Biochar has been applied in soil amelioration due to its multiple agricultural and environmental benefits. Biochar sample (BC) and biochar-based amendment (AD) were added into a poor quality soil (light sierozem) collected from Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region at the rates of 0%, 1.5%, 3% and 5% (w/w), respectively. Maize (Zea mays) was chosen as a test plant, and the effect of BC and AD on its growth was investigated. The results indicated that the maize biomass increased by 44.4-96.2% and 113.8-187.3% in the soils amended with BC and AD, respectively. Therefore, BC and AD may be used as the poor quality soil amendments.