Vol. 9, Special Issue 12, Part G (2025)

Biochar derived from agricultural residues has emerged as a sustainable soil amendment for improving soil health, enhancing crop productivity, and contributing to carbon sequestration. This experiment studied the physicochemical quality of paddy straw biochar produced using a traditional open-kiln drum method, a low-cost technique commonly adopted by farmers. The biochar was characterized for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), ash content, fixed carbon, volatile matter, bulk density, and nutrient composition. The paddy straw biochar exhibited alkaline pH (9.4), moderate EC (1.52 dS m⁻¹), high carbon content (64.8%), ash content (23.2%), and low bulk density (0.28 g cm⁻³). Essential plant nutrients such as N, P, K, Ca, and Mg were present in significant amounts. These properties indicate that paddy straw biochar can improve soil pH, increase nutrient retention, and enhance soil physical conditions. The study concludes that biochar produced through farmer-friendly methods can be a promising amendment for acidic and nutrient-poor soils.