EFFECT OF BIOCHAR ON ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY IN A BRAZILIAN OXISOL

Abstract

The objective of this work was to assess the long-term effect of biochar application on enzyme activity in an Oxisol of Brazilian Cerrado. The experiment was conducted with a randomized block design consisting of the combination of two levels of fertilization (0 and 200 kg ha-1, NPK 00-20-20 formulation) and five levels of biochar (0, 2, 4, 8 and 16 Mg ha-1). The activity of urease, β-glucosidase, acid phosphatase, and total soil enzyme (hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate - FDA) were evaluated in soil samples. The activity of urease and β-glucosidase were significantly increased by the application of biochar with and without chemical fertilization, respectively. Intermediate doses of biochar increased total soil enzyme activity. There was no effect of biochar on acid phosphatase activity. The application of biochar associated with chemical fertilization promotes urease, β-glucosidase and total soil enzyme activity.