Abstract
This study dealt with the influence of application the biomass charcoal to the Shimajiri-maji soil on sugarcane growth and nitrate nitrogen losses. Two kinds of biomass charcoals, biosolids and sugarcane bagasse, were incorporated into the Shimajiri-maji soil. Changes in concentrations of nitrate nitrogen in percolating water, specific gravity and available moisture of soil at before and after the experiments were observed. The index of the sugarcane growth, the stem diameter and length, Brix, sugar beet produced and root tension of sugarcane in each experiment were clarified.
The results indicated that the bagasse charcoal decreased soil hardness and increased available soil moisture in Shimajiri-maji soil. It became clear that maintaining the suitable soil water content have resulted in not only increased the yields but also increased the sugar contents of sugarcane. In addition, the concentrations of nitrate nitrogen in percolating water decreased. It may be concluded that the application of bagasse charcoal can reduce the environmental loads in the Shimajiri-maji soil.
