Biochar Improves Sugarcane Seedling Root and Soil Properties Under a Pot Experiment.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of biochar application on the seedling root properties in sugarcane. A pot experiment was done with a sugarcane cultivar ROC 22 with 10 and 20 per cent of laterite (weight/weight) and without biochar application for 60 days. Results showed that biochar application resulted in a better improvement for sugarcane root properties at seedling stage, and biochar application treatment resulted in greater shoot-to-root ratio. Biochar application raised the soil pH, and significantly increased concentration of available P, K and organic matter present in biochar with 20 % application. These findings lead us to suggest that further investigations are needed to assess the complete effect of biochar application on nutrient uptake and use efficiency across the whole sugarcane growth cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]