Biochar application in Arabica coffee planting improves plants development and soil fertility

Biochar use has been attracting increasing interest in soil science and sustainable
agriculture, especially in the coffee sector. This carbon-rich material, obtained from
the pyrolysis of biomass under conditions of low or no oxygen, has properties that
can significantly contribute to improving the physical, chemical and biological soil
characteristics. Understanding the benefits of biochar in soil management is
essential for the development of more sustainable agricultural practices, contributing
to the mitigation of environmental impacts in coffee farming. This study was
developed with the objective of evaluating the effects of biochar on soil conditioning
and improvement, as well as its impact on Arabica coffee plants development. The
experiment was implemented at Recanto farm in the municipality of Machado, Minas
Gerais, in an area of approximately 0.85 hectares, with Arabica coffee Catucaí 2SL.
The study was conducted following a randomized block design with 4 replicates,
evaluating the biochar application in the furrow at a dose of 1.5 kg per linear meter
(~4.0 tons/ha) and a control treatment without biochar application. Each replicate
consisted of approximately 200 plants. Six months after planting, the following
vegetative parameters were evaluated: plant height (cm); stem diameter (mm) and
number of branches. In addition, soil sampling was performed to assess fertility. The
collected data were analyzed using the Sisvar software using the T-test (p<0.05).
There was a significant effect of biochar application on the coffee plants
development. The use of biochar in the furrow provided an increase of 15.5% and
42.7% in plant height and number of branches, respectively. In addition, the use of
biochar promoted an increase in the levels of organic matter, potassium and
available phosphorus in the soil. The observed increase in these parameters was
9.2% in organic matter, 200% in potassium and 70.4% in available phosphorus. The
use of biochar in the planting furrow improved soil fertility and also favored greater

vegetative development of coffee plants. In addition to agronomic benefits, the
biochar use contributes to the mitigation of climate change through carbon
sequestration, in addition to encouraging a more sustainable agricultural model
through the valorization of agro-industrial waste.