Determination of the effect of biochar produced at different temperatures from apple and rose pruning wastes on soil quality by earthworm avoidance test

An incubation experiment was carried out in order to determine the effect of biochar which is applied for carbon sequestration for a long time in to soil, on biological properties of the soil using earthworm avoidance test. To determine the effect of high temperatures and doses in the study, 1% and 2% doses of biochar obtained from apple or rose pruning wastes/residues at 300, 450, 600, 750 and 900 °C were mixed into the soil and worm avoidance test was performed. Afterwards, the samples were incubated and the test was repeated, additionally, the CO2 production values of the soil were also analyzed at the end of the incubation. The results revealed that in the earthworm avoidance test performed immediately after the biochar application, the earthworms preferred the reference soil without biochar application, and after incubation they turned to the biochar applied area. It has been shown from the research that the raw material used; the application dose and the biochar production temperature in general have an effect on the worm avoidance behavior.