A recent study by Saowanee Wijitkosum et al., published in Emerging Science Journal, examined the long-term effects of a one-time biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More and compost application on soil quality and maize yield over five consecutive crop cycles. The research was conducted in Thailand using cassava stem (CS) biochar at 2.5 and 3.0 kg/m², alone or combined with soybean compost.

Key findings indicate that biochar alone significantly improved soil pHpH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. A pH of 7 is neutral, while lower pH values indicate acidity and higher values indicate alkalinity. Biochars are normally alkaline and can influence soil pH, often increasing it, which can be beneficial More, cation exchange capacity, and nutrient levels (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) compared to compost alone. By the fifth crop cycle, biochar at 3.0 kg/m² combined with compost maintained 2.5 times more nitrogen and 5 times more potassium than compost-only plots. Maize productivity followed a similar trend. While compost-alone plots saw yield declines after the first cycle, biochar-treated plots maintained higher kernel biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More and ear counts, with the best results from the highest biochar-compost combination.

The study suggests that applying biochar at 3.0 kg/m² with compost every three cycles can sustain soil fertility and productivity over multiple plantings. These findings highlight biochar’s role in reducing fertilizer use while maintaining yields, offering a sustainable solution for long-term soil management in tropical agriculture.

SOURCE: Wijitkosum, S., Sriburi, T., & Toonsiri, P. (2025). Effect of one-time application of biochar and compost on soil and maize during five-time consecutive periods of crop cultivation. Emerging Science Journal, 9(1), 114–130. https://doi.org/10.28991/ESJ-2025-09-01-07