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Organic amendments are commonly applied singularly to soils to improve physical, biological and chemical properties, but their combination may be even more advantageous than when applied alone. In this study manure was applied singularly and in combination with biochar (90:10 and 50:50 ratios) to a drought prone agricultural Regosol in a field evaluation. Samples were collected twice a year for 2 years and subjected to testing for moisture retention, nutrient status and microbial activity whilst weed growth was monitored by drone. Substantial seasonal variability in all parameters measured was observed, though all amendments increased actual soil moisture content between 18 and 41% initially; without the addition of biochar (i.e., manure alone) this reverted back to reduced moisture content towards the second year of sampling. None of the tested amendment combinations significantly affected soil‐saturated hydraulic conductivity. Cation exchange capacity decreased as a result of manure addition alone, the addition of 10% biochar and 50% biochar increased this significantly (23%–54% increase). Though microbial biomass and enzyme soil health indicators showed no decisive changes as a result of amendment application, and plant biomass was variable by ground sampling, drone imagery proved that plant heights and health were generally increased as a result of biochar addition to manure, compared with manured soil alone. In summary, despite much field seasonal variability limiting the interpretation of the data, this study nonetheless demonstrates a useful maintenance of improved soil moisture achieved by adding biochar together with manure to a drought‐prone soil agricultural soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Urbanismus a Uzemni Rozvoj is the property of Institute for Spatial Development and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)