APPLICATION OF BIOCHAR INTO SOIL TO ADDRESS THE SOIL ACIDITY PROBLEMS OF BANGLADESH

Biochar is getting considerable interest due to it’s potential agronomic benefit through soil amendment as well as environmental benefit through carbon sequestration. Bangladesh abounds in huge amount of agricultural biomass which is considered significant feedstock for biochar production. The objective of the study was to identify the availability of biomass for biochar production and application into acid affected soil of Bangladesh and reduce soil acidity thereby. The soil of Bangladesh is facing various problems including soil acidity problems. Soil acidity is mainly observed in the Northern and North-eastern 15 districts of the country. These areas generate 24 million tons of rice straw which could be utilized as a potential source of feedstock for biochar production. The biomass availability and suitability for application to reduce soil acidity were justified by analyzing available data in different government website as well as reviewing some earlier scientific journals. Some earlier studies reveals that application of rice straw derived biochar into acidic soil can increase soil pH and reduce soil acidity thereby. Finally the study concluded that application of biochar into wheat field of the acidity affected areas of the country will reduce soil acidity and ensure food security through increased production and crop diversity. The study insisted on more field based research in Bangladesh context. In addition to that the study recommended for cost benefit analysis for justifying the economic viability of application of biochar.