Effect of Sugarcane Biochar on Hydrological Changes in Soils with Different Textures in Arid Regions: From Improvement to Hydrophobicity Effects

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Department of soil science, Collage of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University

10.30466/asr.2026.56320.1894

Abstract

Improving water efficiency in agriculture requires enhancing soil physical and hydraulic properties. This study investigated the effect of applying sugarcane biochar at three rates (0%, 3%, and 6% by weight) on the hydraulic properties of soils with three textures: sandy loam, loam, and clay loam. The experiment was conducted as a factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. The results showed that biochar application significantly altered soil physical and hydraulic parameters; however, the magnitude and direction of these changes depended on soil texture and biochar levels. Biochar increased both saturated and residual moisture content across all three soil textures, likely due to the placement of biochar particles (smaller than 2 mm) in the spaces between soil particles, partially blocking some pores and expanding micro- and meso-pores. This effect was more pronounced in clay loam soils, where the application of 6% biochar resulted in an 8% increase in saturated moisture content and a 31% increase in residual moisture content. Conversely, saturated hydraulic conductivity increased in sandy loam and loam soils by 42% and 5%, respectively – especially under the 6% biochar treatment – due to enhanced pore connectivity and a more porous structure. In contrast, in clay loam, saturated hydraulic conductivity decreased by 46%, likely due to higher soil compaction and potential pore blockage by biochar particles. Biochar also increased total porosity, primarily through the expansion of meso- and macro-pores. In sandy loam, the increase in macropores was consistent with improved hydraulic conductivity, whereas in clay loam, increased porosity was mainly due to fine and medium pores, contributing more to water retention than infiltration. At higher application levels (6%), the hydrophobic effect of biochar led to reductions in the water retention curve parameters, including α and n in the van Genuchten model, indicating a decline in the initial water absorption rate, especially in sandy soils. Overall, by improving soil structure, biochar can be recommended as an effective strategy for agricultural water management, especially in arid regions.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Abel, S., Peters, A., Trinks, S., Schonsky, H., Facklam, M., & Wessolek, G. (2013). Impact of biochar and hydrochar addition on water retention and water repellency of sandy soil. Geoderma, 202, 183-191.
Acharya, B. S., Dodla, S., Wang, J. J., Pavuluri, K., Darapuneni, M., Dattamudi, S., Maharjan, B., & Kharel, G. (2024). Biochar impacts on soil water dynamics: knowns, unknowns, and research directions. Biochar, 6(1), 34.
Beven, K., & Germann, P. (1982). Macropores and water flow in soils. Water Resources Research, 18(5), 1311-1325.
Bisdom, E. B. A., Dekker, L. W., & Schoute, J. T. (1993). Water repellency of sieve fractions from sandy soils and relationships with organic material and soil structure. Geoderma, 56, 105-118.
Blanco-Canqui, H. (2017). Biochar and soil physical properties. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 81(4), 687-711.
Bonanomi, G., Motti, R., Abd-ElGawad, A. M., & Idbella, M. (2024). Soil water repellency along elevation gradients: The role of climate, land use and soil chemistry. Geoderma, 443, 116847.
Canellas, L. P., & Olivares, F. L. (2014). Physiological responses to humic substances as plant growth promoter. Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture, 1, 1-11.
Chen, Z., Intraravimonmata, C., Kamchoom, V., Chen, R., & Sinsamutpadung, N. (2025). Biochar Amendment as a Mitigation Against Freezing–Thawing Effects on Soil Hydraulic Properties. Agronomy, 15(1), 137.
Chen, C., Wang, R., Shang, J., Liu, K., Irshad, M. K., Hu, K., & Arthur, E. (2018). Effect of biochar application on hydraulic properties of sandy soil under dry and wet conditions. Vadose Zone Journal, 17(1), 1-8.
DeBano, L. F. (1971). The effect of hydrophobic substances on water movement in soil during infiltration. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 35(2), 340-343.
Dekker, L. W., & Ritsema, C. J. (1994). How water moves in a water repellent sandy soil: 1. Potential and actual water repellency. Water Resources Research, 30(9), 2507-2517.
Dexter, A. R. (2004). Soil physical quality: Part I. Theory, effects of soil texture, density, and organic matter, and effects on root growth. Geoderma, 120(3-4), 201-214.
Doerr, S. H., & Thomas, A. D. (2000). The role of soil moisture in controlling water repellency: new evidence from forest soils in Portugal. Journal of Hydrology, 231, 134-147.
Doerr, S. H., Shakesby, R. A., & Walsh, R. (2000). Soil water repellency: its causes, characteristics and hydro-geomorphological significance. Earth-Science Reviews, 51(1-4), 33-65.
Dekker, L. W., & Jungerius, P. D. (1990). Water repellency in the dunes with special reference to The Netherlands. Catena, 18, 173–183.
García, F. J. M., Dekker, L. W., Oostindie, K., & Ritsema, C. J. (2005). Water repellency under natural conditions in sandy soils of southern Spain. Soil Research, 43(3), 291-296.
Gee, G. W., & Bauder, J. W. (1986). Particle‐size analysis. In Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 1 Physical and Mineralogical Methods (5, pp. 383-411). American Society of Agronomy.
Gelardi, D. L., Ainuddin, I. H., Rippner, D. A., Patiño, J. E., Abou Najm, M., & Parikh, S. J. (2021). Biochar alters hydraulic conductivity and impacts nutrient leaching in two agricultural soils. Soil, 7(2), 811-825.
Ghorbani, M., Amirahmadi, E., Neugschwandtner, R. W., Konvalina, P., Kopecký, M., Moudrý, J., Perná, K., & Murindangabo, Y. T. (2022). The impact of pyrolysis temperature on biochar properties and its effects on soil hydrological properties. Sustainability, 14(22), 14722.
Gray, M., Johnson, M. G., Dragila, M. I., & Kleber, M. (2014). Water uptake in biochars: The roles of porosity and hydrophobicity. Biomass and Bioenergy, 61, 196-205.
Herath, H. M. S. K., Camps-Arbestain, M., & Hedley, M. (2013). Effect of biochar on soil physical properties in two contrasting soils: an Alfisol and an Andisol. Geoderma, 209, 188-197.
Holt, J. A., Yost, M. A., Winward, D., Creech, J. E., Allen, L. N., & McAvoy, D. (2022). Biochar had minor effects on yield, quality, and water availability of irrigated alfalfa, corn, and wheat. Agronomy Journal, 114(3), 1717-1730.
Imeson, A. C., Verstraten, J. M., Van Mulligen, E. J., & Sevink, J. (1992). The effects of fire and water repellency on infiltration and runoff under Mediterranean type forest. Catena, 19(3-4), 345-361.
Jačka, L., Trakal, L., Ouředníček, P., Pohořelý, M., & Šípek, V. (2018). Biochar presence in soil significantly decreased saturated hydraulic conductivity due to swelling. Soil and Tillage Research, 184, 181-185.
Khanmohammadi, Z., Afyuni, M., & Mosaddeghi, M. R. (2015). Effect of pyrolysis temperature on chemical and physical properties of sewage sludge biochar. Waste Management & Research, 33(3), 275-283.
Klute, A., & Dirksen, C. (1986). Hydraulic conductivity and diffusivity: Laboratory methods. In Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 1 Physical and Mineralogical Methods (5, pp. 687-734). American Society of Agronomy.
Kinney, T. J., Masiello, C. A., Dugan, B., Hockaday, W. C., Dean, M. R., Zygourakis, K., & Barnes, R. T. (2012). Hydrologic properties of biochars produced at different temperatures. Biomass and Bioenergy, 41, 34-43.
Kirkham, M. B. (2023). Principles of Soil and Plant Water Relations. Elsevier.
Lehmann, J., Bossio, D. A., Kögel-Knabner, I., & Rillig, M. C. (2020). The concept and future prospects of soil health. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 1(10), 544-553.
Lehmann, J., & Joseph, S. (Eds.). (2024). Biochar for Environmental Management: Science, Technology and Implementation. Taylor & Francis.
Li, L., Zhang, Y. J., Novak, A., Yang, Y., & Wang, J. (2021). Role of biochar in improving sandy soil water retention and resilience to drought. Water, 13(4), 407.
Lichner, L., Orfánus, T., Nováková, K., Šír, M., & Tesař, M. (2007). The impact of vegetation on hydraulic conductivity of sandy soil. Soil and Water Research, 2, 59-66.
Liu, Z., Dugan, B., Masiello, C. A., Barnes, R. T., Gallagher, M. E., & Gonnermann, H. (2016). Impacts of biochar concentration and particle size on hydraulic conductivity and DOC leaching of biochar–sand mixtures. Journal of Hydrology, 533, 461-472.
Liu, X., Zhang, A., Ji, C., Joseph, S., Bian, R., Li, L., Pan, G., & Paz-Ferreiro, J. (2013). Biochar’s effect on crop productivity and the dependence on experimental conditions—a meta-analysis of literature data. Plant and Soil, 373, 583-594.
Mao, J., Zhang, K., & Chen, B. (2019). Linking hydrophobicity of biochar to the water repellency and water holding capacity of biochar-amended soil. Environmental Pollution, 253, 779-789.
McKissock, I., Gilkes, R. J., & Van Bronswijk, W. (2003). The relationship of soil water repellency to aliphatic C and kaolin measured using DRIFT. Soil Research, 41(2), 251-265.
Morley, C. P., Mainwaring, K. A., Doerr, S. H., Douglas, P., Llewellyn, C. T., & Dekker, L. W. (2005). Organic compounds at different depths in a sandy soil and their role in water repellency. Soil Research, 43(3), 239-249.
Movasat, M., & Tomac, I. (2021). Assessment of physical properties of water-repellent soils. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 147(9), 06021010.
Mualem, Y. (1976). A new model for predicting the hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated porous media. Water Resources Research, 12(3), 513-522.
Mukherjee, A., & Lal, R. (2013). Biochar impacts on soil physical properties and greenhouse gas emissions. Agronomy, 3(2), 313-339.
Mukherjee, A., Zimmerman, A. R., & Harris, W. (2011). Surface chemistry variations among a series of laboratory-produced biochars. Geoderma, 163(3-4), 247-255.
Olaetxea, M., De Hita, D., Garcia, C. A., Fuentes, M., Baigorri, R., Mora, V., Garnica, M., Urrutia, O., Erro, J., Zamarreño, A. M., & Berbara, R. L. (2018). Hypothetical framework integrating the main mechanisms involved in the promoting action of rhizospheric humic substances on plant root-and shoot-growth. Applied Soil Ecology, 123, 521-537.
Petersen, C. T., Hansen, E., Larsen, H. H., Hansen, L. V., Ahrenfeldt, J., & Hauggaard‐Nielsen, H. (2016). Pore‐size distribution and compressibility of coarse sandy subsoil with added biochar. European Journal of Soil Science, 67(6), 726-736.
Ramazanoglu, E. (2023). Effects of Biochar application as a carbon substrate on cotton plant growth and some soil enzymes. ISPEC Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 7(4), 904-915.
Rhoades, J. D. (1996). Salinity: Electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids. In Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 3 Chemical Methods (5, pp. 417-435). American Society of Agronomy.
Safadoust, A., Mosaddeghi, M. R., Mahboubi, A. A., & Yousefi, G. (2012). Effects of Wetting/Drying, Freezing/Thawing and Earth Worm Activities on Soil Hydraulic Properties. Water and Soil, 26(2), 340-348.
Saffari, N., Hajabbasi, M. A., Shirani, H., Mosaddeghi, M. R., & Owens, G. (2021). Influence of corn residue biochar on water retention and penetration resistance in a calcareous sandy loam soil. Geoderma, 383, 114734.
Salazar, M. P., Lozano, L. A., Villarreal, R., Bellora, G. L., Villeda, C. A. M., Churquina, N., Polich, N. G., & Soracco, C. G. (2024). Soil water repellency under Eucalyptus stands of different age and its relationship with soil hydrological function and soil organic matter. Catena, 246, 108441.
Sohi, S. P., Krull, E., Lopez-Capel, E., & Bol, R. (2010). A review of biochar and its use and function in soil. Advances in Agronomy, 105, 47-82.
Šurda, P., Vitková, J., Lichner, Ľ., Botková, N., & Toková, L. (2024). Effect of wettable and hydrophobic biochar addition on properties of sandy soil. Biologia, 1-12.
Thomas, G. W. (1996). Soil pH and soil acidity. In Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 3 Chemical Methods (5, pp. 475-490). American Society of Agronomy.
Tian, Z., Deng, H., Zhang, S., Xu, Q., & Jin, X. (2025). Fractal parameters of soil particle size distribution in karst area, and implications of soil water repellency by plantations. Soil and Water Research, 20(2), 93-104.
Usevičiūtė, L., & Baltrėnaitė-Gedienė, E. (2021). Dependence of pyrolysis temperature and lignocellulosic physical-chemical properties of biochar on its wettability. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 11(6), 2775-2793.
Van Genuchten, M. T., Leij, F. J., & Yates, S. R. (1992). The RETC code for quantifying the hydraulic functions of unsaturated soils. Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory, US Environmental Protection Agency.
Verheijen, F. G., Zhuravel, A., Silva, F. C., Amaro, A., Ben-Hur, M., & Keizer, J. J. (2019). The influence of biochar particle size and concentration on bulk density and maximum water holding capacity of sandy vs sandy loam soil in a column experiment. Geoderma, 347, 194-202.
Walkley, A., & Black, I. A. (1934). An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter, and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science, 37(1), 29-38.
Wang, M., Shen, J., Xu, X., Feng, H., Huang, D., & Chen, Z. (2023). Biochar as an enhancer of the stability, mesoporous structure and oxytetracycline adsorption capacity of ferrihydrite: Role of the silicon component. Science of the Total Environment, 875, 162652.
Wang, J., & Wang, S. (2019). Preparation, modification and environmental application of biochar: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 227, 1002-1022.
Wang, C., Wu, Y., Xie, L., Yang, Z., Tian, J., Yu, F., Ren, J., & Li, S. (2025). Estimating soil‐water characteristic curve from the particle size distribution with a novel granular packing model. Water Resources Research, 61(2), e2024WR037262.
Wang, K., Zhang, X., Sun, C., Yang, K., Zheng, J., & Zhou, J. (2021). Biochar application alters soil structure but not soil hydraulic conductivity of an expansive clayey soil under field conditions. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 21, 73-82.
Yao, Y., Xu, P., Yang, S., Ni, J., & Wang, Y. (2025). Effect of biochar on water permeability and cracking behaviour of granite residual soil. Géotechnique Letters, 1-5.
Zhang, T., Cai, H., Tang, Y., Gao, W., Lee, X., Li, H., Li, C., & Cheng, J. (2025). Visualising the trends of biochar influencing soil physicochemical properties using bibliometric analysis 2010–2022. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 27(2), 2815-2839.
Zhu, Z., Zhang, Y., Tao, W., Zhang, X., Xu, Z., & Xu, C. (2025). The biological effects of biochar on soil’s physical and chemical characteristics: A review. Sustainability, 17(5), 2214.

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 02 July 2025
  • Revise Date: 26 October 2025
  • Accept Date: 06 September 2026

Share

How to cite

Statistics