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Limiting factor | Variable | Problem | Short-term treatment | Long-term treatment | Role of biochar |
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Physical | Soil structure | Soil too compact | Rip or scarify | Vegetation | Decreased soil bulk density, increased infiltration, and decreased erodibility |
Soil erosion | High erodibility | Mulch | Regrade vegetation |
Soil moisture | Too wet | Drain | Wetland construction |
Too dry | Organic mulch | Tolerant species | Increased water retention due to surface area and charge characteristics |
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Nutritional | Macronutrients | Nitrogen deficiency Other deficiencies | Fertilizer Fertilizer | Nitrogen fixing plants, for example, leguminous trees or shrubs Fertilizer, amendments, tolerant species | Yield increases Slow nutrient release Soil organic matter stabilization Retention of released nutrients Increased microbial activity Habitat for mychorrhizal fungi hyphae |
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Toxicity |
pH | Acid soils (<4.5) | Lime | Tolerant species | Designed for alkaline surface charge |
Alkaline soils (>7.8) | Pyritic waste, organic matter | Weathering, tolerant species | High CEC for Na retention |
Heavy metals | High concentration | Organic matter, tolerant cultivar | Inert covering, tolerant species | High surface area and cation exchange capacity allows for metal retention |
Salinity | EC > 4 ds/m pH < 8.5, SAR < 13 | Gypsum, irrigation | Weathering, tolerant species | Mixed with gypsum to reduce soil structural issues |
Sodicity | EC < 4 ds/m, pH > 8.5, SAR ≥ 13 | Gypsum, irrigation | Weathering, tolerant species | Nutritional values as described High CEC for Na retention |
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