Meranti (Shorea sp.) Biochar Application Method on the Growth of Sengon (Falcataria moluccana) as a Solution of Phosphorus Crisis

Phosphorus (P) is a limiting nutrient mined from non-renewable sources. P is needed to stimulate trees growth in a forest plantation. P-fertilizer addition in the tropical forest field causes P-leaching flux to watershed and induces eutrophication. The high C contained in meranti (Shorea sp.) biochar can avoid the P-leaching process in the soil with a strategic application method. However, the biochar application method is poorly examined. This research aimed to develop a biochar application method to sequestrate P from the environment and examine its effect on the growth of sengon (Falcataria moluccana). Shorea sp. biochar pyrolyzed at 400 degrees C and 600 degrees C were added at a dosage of 0 t ha(-1), 25 t ha(-1), and 50 t ha(-1) for six months in the field. The biochar was placed 20 cm under topsoil without soil mixing. This application method significantly increased total P in the soil without any P-fertilizer addition. The results showed that biochar pyrolyzed at 600 degrees C and a dosage of 25 t ha(-1) increased the total P in the soil and CEC by 192.2 mg kg(-1) and 25.98 me 100 g(-1), respectively. Biochar with a higher pyrolysis temperature increased higher soil pH. In contrast, the higher dosage increased organic-C higher than the lower dosage application. The most significant P-uptake, height, and diameter increments on F. moluccana were achieved using Shorea sp. biochar pyrolyzed at 600 degrees C with a dosage of 25 t ha(-1) by 0.42 mg kg(-1), 222 cm, and 2.75 cm, respectively. The total P in the soil positively correlated with the P-uptake of F. moluccana. Furthermore, using the biochar application method P could be absorbed to the biochar layer and desorbed to the topsoil. Consequently, the biochar application method together with P-fertilizer addition could increase the availability of P in the soil and decrease P-leaching to the environment.