Can the Acidic Ultisols in Peninsular Malaysia Be Alleviated by Biochar Treatment for Corn Cultivation

Shamshuddin J., . and Rabileh M. A., . and Fauziah C. I., . Can the Acidic Ultisols in Peninsular Malaysia Be Alleviated by Biochar Treatment for Corn Cultivation. pp. 1-10. ISSN 1394-7990

Arable land in Peninsular Malaysia is dominated by highly weathered infertile soils which are taxonomically classified as Ultisols. The production of non-acid tolerant sweet corn on these acidic Ultisols is known to be negatively affected by soil acidity and/or Al3 toxicity. However to some extent corn is able to defend itself against Al3 toxicity and/or H stress. For Al3 toxicity problem the defence mechanism is along this line. The positively-charged Al3 is attracted to the negatively-charged root surface of the sweet corn. When the Al3 touches the surface of the root the corn plant reacts instantly to release oxalic acid that chelates the Al3. By this mechanism some of the Al3 at the solution-root interface will be deactivated by the organic acid and rendered unavailable for uptake by corn. The chelation of Al3 occurring in soil solution by this mechanism is a crucial step to help sustain the production of corn growing on the Ultisols. For sustainable corn production the pH of the Ultisols has to be raised to a level above 5.3 by liming or other agronomic means. In the final analysis Al3 activity in the soil solution is less than the critical level of 10 M. The low productivity of the Ultisols can be overcome by applying EFB-biochar at a rate of 10 t biochar/ha which is an economically viable agronomic practice.

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Abstract

Arable land in Peninsular Malaysia is dominated by highly weathered infertile soils which are taxonomically classified as Ultisols. The production of non-acid tolerant sweet corn on these acidic Ultisols is known to be negatively affected by soil acidity and/or Al3 toxicity. However to some extent corn is able to defend itself against Al3 toxicity and/or H stress. For Al3 toxicity problem the defence mechanism is along this line. The positively-charged Al3 is attracted to the negatively-charged root surface of the sweet corn. When the Al3 touches the surface of the root the corn plant reacts instantly to release oxalic acid that chelates the Al3. By this mechanism some of the Al3 at the solution-root interface will be deactivated by the organic acid and rendered unavailable for uptake by corn. The chelation of Al3 occurring in soil solution by this mechanism is a crucial step to help sustain the production of corn growing on the Ultisols. For sustainable corn production the pH of the Ultisols has to be raised to a level above 5.3 by liming or other agronomic means. In the final analysis Al3 activity in the soil solution is less than the critical level of 10 M. The low productivity of the Ultisols can be overcome by applying EFB-biochar at a rate of 10 t biochar/ha which is an economically viable agronomic practice.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Ultisols
AGROVOC Term:	Acid soils
AGROVOC Term:	Soil treatment
AGROVOC Term:	Charcoal
AGROVOC Term:	Toxicity
AGROVOC Term:	Aluminium
AGROVOC Term:	Cations
AGROVOC Term:	Corn (zea)
AGROVOC Term:	Crop production
Depositing User:	Mr. AFANDI ABDUL MALEK
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 00:54
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/9336

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