Alterations in soil salinity with the use of different biochar doses

Biochar produced from a poultry litter has a pH around 10 and a high concentration of basic cations. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of this biochar in the salinity of a Yellow Red Latosol. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replicates using columns of 20 cm height filled with soil, presenting in the first 5 cm of the column, doses corresponding to 0; 10; 15; 20; 25 and 30 t ha-1 of biochar mixed to the soil, totalizing 24 experimental units. For 30 days, 44 mL of deionized water was applied daily to each column. After this period, soil samples were collected at two depths (0-10; 10-20cm) and analyzed chemically concerning: ECse, pH, potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium in each experimental plot. From the results SAR and ESP indicators were calculated. The biochar rates increased ECse, pH, Na and K, as well as SAR and ESP, being more pronounced in the first depth (0-10 cm) for most of the analyzed parameters. The soil was classified as non-saline, however, the increase in all the analyzed parameters points to a careful use of the biochar studied.