Changes in the Morphogenetic and Physicochemical Properties of an Alfisol as Affected by the Healing Period After Charcoal Production

ABSTRACTThe study assessed the responses of major soil quality parameters to charcoal production (CP) and the period required for the soil to regain its original status after CP. Among the physical properties, the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) decreased by 362% at the surface following CP. Similarly, the soil aggregate sizes and clay flocculation index deteriorated considerably over the healing period without restoration within a decade. The surface soil pH decreased immediately after CP till the eighth year after CP, but this trend was reverted in the tenth year. Also, the total nitrogen and available phosphorus (P) declined by 75% and 98%, respectively, after CP but improved after the sixth year. The organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and effective cation exchange capacity of the surface soil increased gradually a year after CP to the tenth year.