A pot experiment was conducted to investigate effects of biochar produced
from corn cobs on some chemical properties and potassium status in a
calcareous sandy soil. The addition of biochar to this soil resulted in
significant increases (P ≤ 0.05) in the soil pH, organic matter (OM), soluble
potassium, and available potassium. The soil potential buffering capacity of
potassium (PBCK) significantly increased with adding the biochar to the
calcareous sandy soil. Significant increases were also occurred in the activity
ratio of potassium at equilibrium (ARK eÞ with the applying the biochar to this
soil. Moreover, biochar additions gave significant increases in the labile pool
of K ð Þ ΔKo value of the calcareous sandy soil. The fresh and dry weight as
well as potassium content of wheat plants grown in the calcareous sandy
soil significantly increased with biochar additions.