Student Research Reports
Effects of Biochar on Soil Properties, Soil Carbon Sequestration and the Growth of Hom Hua Bon Rice
Organization(s):Princess Chulabhorn Science High School Trang
Country:Thailand
Student(s):1. Miss Natthakulwadee Tehair
2. Miss Phanatchakorn Nuannim
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Member(s):salamiyah kittibunyathiwagon
Contributors:Mrs. Lamai Nuannim (a rice farmer in Khok Saba Subdistrict, Mueang District, Trang Province)
Report Type(s):Virtual Science Symposium Report
Protocols:Bulk Density, Soil Characterization, Soil pH, Soil Moisture - Gravimetric, Soil Infiltration, Soil Particle Density
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Language(s):English
Date Submitted:2026-01-29
This study aimed to investigate the effects of biochar derived from different types of agricultural biomass on soil properties, soil carbon sequestration, and the growth of Hom Hua Bon rice. The experiment consisted of five treatments: Treatment 1: control treatment (soil only); Treatment 2: soil mixed with biochar derived from para rubber wood sawdust; Treatment 3: soil mixed with biochar derived from corn leaves and stalks; Treatment 4: soil mixed with rice husk biochar; and Treatment 5: soil mixed with rice straw biochar, with biochar applied at a rate of 3% (w/w). The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design, with three replicates per treatment. Soil properties, including pH, bulk density, water holding capacity, organic matter content, macronutrients (N, P, K), and soil carbon content, were measured before and after rice cultivation following GLOBE protocols. Rice growth parameters, including germination rate, soil moisture, and plant height, were recorded weekly over a four-week cultivation period. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
The results indicated that all biochar treatments significantly improved soil physical properties compared with the control (P < 0.05). Biochar application reduced soil bulk density to 0.80–1.05 g/cm³, while soil water holding capacity increased from 35.00 ± 3.00% in the control to 50.00–65.00% before planting. After planting, soil amended with para rubber wood sawdust biochar exhibited the highest water holding capacity (85.00 ± 6.00%). Soil carbon content increased significantly in all biochar-amended soils, with the para rubber wood sawdust biochar treatment showing the greatest increase, from 4.61 ± 0.07% before planting to 4.99 ± 0.10% after planting, whereas the control showed only a slight increase (from 0.92 ± 0.02% to 1.07 ± 0.03%). Significant differences in rice growth were observed among treatments (P < 0.05), with the para rubber wood sawdust biochar treatment achieving the highest germination rate (81.44 ± 0.50%) and the greatest plant height at week 4 (19.12 ± 1.19 cm), while the control exhibited the lowest germination rate (25.89 ± 0.50%) and plant height (13.56 ± 0.56 cm). These findings indicate that biochar, particularly that derived from para rubber wood sawdust, has strong potential for improving soil quality, enhancing soil carbon sequestration, and promoting sustainable cultivation of Hom Hua Bon rice.
Keywords: Biochar / Hom Hua Bon Rice / Soil Quality / Carbon Sequestration