11.3.3 Biochar Biological Properties
The physical and chemical properties of biochar affect the biological properties of
biochar. The existence and size, as well as the distribution of pores in biochar
provide suitable habitats for many microorganisms by protecting them from predators and drought, providing carbon for energy and minerals for nutrition (Saito and
Marumoto 2002; Warnock et al. 2007). Fungi and bacteria live and reproduce in
macropores (Lal 2006). Biochar also contains micropores (<2 nm) and mesopores
(2–50 nm) which can store water and solutes needed for microbial metabolism
(Brewer 2012). Dissolved organic carbon biochar is the primary carbon source
favored by microorganisms (Stewart et al. 2013). In addition to the C content,
biochar pH is an important controlling factor for the proliferation of microorganisms
in biochar (Gul et al. 2015). Maftuah et al. (2014) showed the effect of pH and
carbon content of Biochar on fungi and bacteria growth (Fig. 11.3). Biochar pH has
no effect on fungi and bacteria growth. The carbon content of Biochar has no effect
on bacteria growth, but optimal effects on fungi.
11.4 Biochar Roles for Soil Improvement
11.4.1 Physical Property Improvement
Large amount of biochar (oil palm shell biochar) application influences strongly on
soil physical properties in case of Ultisol in East Lampung as follows (Table 11.3):
Fig. 11.2 Spectroscopy FTIR of several types of biochar (Maftuah et al. 2014). Stem of Melaleuca
leucadendron biochar (a); palm midrib biochar (b); rice husk biochar (c); and coconut shell biochar
(d)
11 Biochar for the Improvement of Peatland and Suboptimal Land
345
The physical and chemical properties of biochar affect the biological properties of
biochar. The existence and size, as well as the distribution of pores in biochar
provide suitable habitats for many microorganisms by protecting them from predators and drought, providing carbon for energy and minerals for nutrition (Saito and
Marumoto 2002; Warnock et al. 2007). Fungi and bacteria live and reproduce in
macropores (Lal 2006). Biochar also contains micropores (<2 nm) and mesopores
(2–50 nm) which can store water and solutes needed for microbial metabolism
(Brewer 2012). Dissolved organic carbon biochar is the primary carbon source
favored by microorganisms (Stewart et al. 2013). In addition to the C content,
biochar pH is an important controlling factor for the proliferation of microorganisms
in biochar (Gul et al. 2015). Maftuah et al. (2014) showed the effect of pH and
carbon content of Biochar on fungi and bacteria growth (Fig. 11.3). Biochar pH has
no effect on fungi and bacteria growth. The carbon content of Biochar has no effect
on bacteria growth, but optimal effects on fungi.
11.4 Biochar Roles for Soil Improvement
11.4.1 Physical Property Improvement
Large amount of biochar (oil palm shell biochar) application influences strongly on
soil physical properties in case of Ultisol in East Lampung as follows (Table 11.3):
Fig. 11.2 Spectroscopy FTIR of several types of biochar (Maftuah et al. 2014). Stem of Melaleuca
leucadendron biochar (a); palm midrib biochar (b); rice husk biochar (c); and coconut shell biochar
(d)
11 Biochar for the Improvement of Peatland and Suboptimal Land
345