Abstract

Biochar is material produced during a process called pyrolysis. This material can be used as fertilizer to increase the agronomic productivity of low fertility soils. The objective of this study was to evaluate the soil chemical amendments and the macronutrients leaching following biochar application, produced from poultry litter, in Yellow Red Latosol in laboratory experiments. Soil columns (height 20 cm) containing 0; 10; 15; 20; 25 and 30 t ha^-1 of biochar with four replications totaled 24 experimental units. For 30 days, water was applied daily to each column, and the leachates were collected and chemically characterized. After this period, soil samples were taken from the 0-10 and 10-20 cm layer depth and chemically characterized. Biochar reduced exchangeable acidity values. Biochar improved soil fertility. Leachates contained increasing EC, K, Na, Ca and Mg, however the concentration of these elements were small in relation to the biochar doses.

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