0023-6152

AA00697606

1955662

Biochar is a solid carbonaceous material that is produced by pyrolyzing biomass under limited oxygen conditions and has been reported to increase soil productivity, absorb pollutants, and reduce greenhouse gasses. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the application of bead–form biochar (BFB) on the growth of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants. The wood–waste biochar used in the present study was pyrolyzed at 300°C for 3 h under limited oxygen conditions and processed into beads. Pepper plants were transplanted into pots that contained soil amended with 0, 2, or 5% (w/w) BFB and were grown in a greenhouse for 77 d. The pepper plants grown in 2% BFB were the tallest (93.3 cm) and heaviest (63.0 g), whereas those grown in 5% BFB were the shortest (59.6 cm) and lightest (32.6 g). BFB treatment also affected the chemical properties of the soil, with electric conductivity, available P2O5, total carbon, total nitrogen, and organic matter increasing with BFB content. The electric conductivity of the 5% BFB soil was 6.89 ds m–1, which is thought to have inhibited pepper growth. Therefore, appropriate biochar treatment (e.g., 2% BFB) has the potential to improve pepper growth and yield, whereas over–treatment (e.g., 5% BFB) has the potential to reduce pepper growth and yield, owing to the effect of biochar on electric conductivity